Stars

There are nights
when
there are no
stars.

They are just--
gone.

No clouds....
no tent over our head--
just--
no stars.

Just blackness.

Empty; chillingly
blank.

Still--
we trust.

They are
there.

Hidden, but still
up above
the strange darkness...

They shine
brightly
faithfully
steadily.

Simply hidden...
though there
all along.

So we trust,
and wait.

Next night,
we look.

Hoping.

There--
stars.

Shining, just as always.

Never gone-- only hidden.