“Endings,” initially inspired by a storm that moved through our area in the late afternoon and evening of 12 July 2004 and by James P. Hogan’s Cradle of Saturn, was nominated for a Rhysling Award and published in the 2010 Rhysling Anthology. The photo below was taken as the storm approached our city from the west at sunset.

“Endings”
by Elizabeth W. Bennefeld

Lulled to sleep by weeping sands against the window,
mixed by winds with sleet and snow,
I dream again of golden, glorious clouds
racing before that one last towering storm–
the day the Earth last heard our voices,
felt our steps, and then
was washed by rains no more.

Published in Star*Line, July/August 2009 issue. Star*Line is published six times a year by the Science Fiction Poetry Association.