As the sun approached the horizon,
it warmed my back
and dodged, momentarily,
behind clouds. Red rocks
faced yellow-ribboned clouds
and reflected—without mirroring—
the sun. Like a movie screen
or backdrop for this play of light,
the rock face absorbed
and reflected rays,
highlighting first one shade
of red, then another,
and occasional blues.
A foot steadied the gas pedal.
Meanwhile, on the radio,
Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 3
provided the score.