Burnt Hills, Round Lake

A flash of light, a sudden quake
none sensed the signs—
burnt hills, round lake

A piece of the sky fell at daybreak
spelling the dinosaurs’ decline
a flash of light, a sudden quake

Day turned to night at a fearsome rate
beasts, rocks and mud entwined
under burnt hills, by a round lake

Now, all is calm at this namesake
watchful trees along the faint crater’s side
no flash of light or sudden quake

Somewhere in my bones, a Jurassic ache
Northbound lights shine
driving home to Burnt Hills or Round Lake

Pearls on a string, traffic stretches from Exit 8
Silver on green, I suddenly see the sign
a flash of light, a tiny quake
as I exit at Burnt Hills-Round Lake.