A Rumor About Shooting Stars

My father said

that shooting stars

were new souls

come down to earth.

I believed him

until Mrs. Sweeney

in the fourth grade said,

" Dan, define meteor."

I replied,

they are new souls come down to earth.

So began a nickel and iron explanation

on her part

that took my father's light

away from me.

Never again did I hear

anyone even suggest

that shooting stars

were souls

come down to earth.

So here's your part in this.

The next time

you define meteor

please add

the rumor about the souls.

©2003 Daniel Kantak