In fact it isn't
a visitant from outer space
understaying its welcome
or flaring through our atmosphere
in a final brilliancy.
This is high, slow and orderly
with two short plumes that merge to a tail
so white against the blue
so straight in its arc
that it must represent something.
That taper is petal smooth
inaudible and inexorably
slowing to a shimmer as it closes on
the unsurprisable granite ridge
with the one pin-like tree.
Then it is over.
The sky shows no trace
a swallow does irregular cartwheels
off the darkening canopy
as an ant picks its way on sand.