Humble giants seem to
slumber on the outskirts of town,
form a soft-humped backdrop for the night-starred sky.

In winter, they disappear
beneath snowy-white blankets.

Summer finds them
flickering in and out of sight,
floating in a dirty, particulate sea —
the accumulated exhalations
of factories and forest fires.

Only the rain,
sliding down the sky,
can wash away falsehood
and bring the giants

back to life.