close enough

Because the lighting had struck so suddenly.
Because you came back to the hotel exhausted from the wedding.
Because of the heat.
Because of the strip malls and airfields and the Burger King just off 179.
Because your lover was in another state, waiting for your call.
Because you had had half a glass of wine too many.
Because of the dress you wore, its plunging V.
Because your mother had told you you looked beautiful.
Because of the outline of ponderosa just past your headlights.
Because it was Sunday evening.
Because it was the middle of July.
Because you were 37.
Because you were exactly where you needed to be.

Whatever it was, you looked up, and the stars
looked close enough to touch.