Orion Returns

Early in this season of color and cold

and darkness descending too soon, too close

to the dinner hour, I await the return

of Orion’s constellation, the Hunter,

his belt of three stars – Alnitak, Alnilam,

and Mintaka – and his raised club

and shield, he one of the few heavenly

arts I recognize, easily found in the winter sky,

Orion,  the winter maker.  And now, around ten

on a clear night he steps onto the eastern horizon,

armed to begin his journey, earlier and earlier

in darkness, seeking me, perhaps, this heavenly

shepherd, cosmic dancer, swordsman of the sky,

my mythic companion, guardian on my journey,

this quest I take through the seasons of my life,

a journey begun to hell itself and returning home.