straight down from the heavens
I swear it! he says as if
we might not believe him

the lightsmith himself
has forged this one
you’ve never seen

anything like it
we follow him outside
and he points to the horizon

whiter than the sun and vertical
as if holding up the sky
the sun pillar against purple

a halo straightened out
like an arm straining
when the hands are clamped

together in prayer
I told you he says
it’s special this one