Stars Fall on a Midsummer Night

Every midsummer night, stars fall toward the earth. Bright or dim, long or brief, magnificent or plain, those who look up always cry out in wonder. But the brighter the light, the fiercer it burns. At the end of its life, a falling star lights the sky, trying to drive away the darkness, trying to drive the darkness from the eyes of those who watch. Their eyes light up, then go dark again. What remains are excited shouts, and the waiting for the next star to die. Again and again, falling stars light the black night, and the black eyes below. Again and again, the watchers shout, and cry out. In the end, everything grows quiet. The stars have charged in vain. People fold up their chairs and go home to sleep.