for Joe Chan, with thanks and admiration

They dive in or burst out of brick buildings,
cascade over a meadow, backlight a majestic
oak tree at sunset, reflect on the waters
of a river called American under a bridge
named Rainbow.

You capture elusive light, share it with others
who missed the full spectral beauty of
brilliant, stormy skies. Or those who
can’t see it as you do through your lens,

unpeeling the world, brightening it
for the rest of us.