"Humble beginnings"

I rise to welcome the local star

Religiously

When I am at the beach

As if it might not boil through the blue sea's horizon 

And make a new day

Without me,

Although it has done that for longer than I can envision

Just fine.

Today, the orange peeks out 

From its hiding place beneath the earth

Through a Venetian blind haze

That trims slices from the molten god

Revealing no easy round

But a shape-changer 

Driving swiftly from the wave edge

Toward some unmarked but well-worn zenith.

It writes secrets in an ancient, unknowable language

On the calm and welcoming water's face

First in the orange-red of a steep Japanese garden bridge

Lending its arch over a stone creek.

Then, imperceptibly, it bakes golden-yellow

And seems to speak anew.

Finally, white-hot characters sparkle their harsh yet vague

Message I cannot decipher 

Or even stand to look upon for long -- 

Mysteries that warm me

As I watch their sacred dance

And wait in wonder 

For a word

Standing on the cool sand

In worship.