Angela Janda

Upon Realizing the Difference Between an Annular and Total Solar Eclipse

I thought I had seen it and I had not. I had

only seen something like it. It was October. 

I was still drinking. Leaves cast wrench-mouth 

shadows on the concrete outside the community center 

while the children tossed their dark glasses up the slide.

The moon slid to sit atop the sun. When it fell dead

center, the shadows turned circle on the ground.

I photographed the people photographing 

the sky. The temperature dropped but it was not

dark, the birds did not stop singing, the street

lights did not sputter on. I did not cry and I did

not hear anyone crying. I did not feel changed.