do they?

it's the pebbles 
that make life insurmountable

boulders 
we expect
but too much gravel 
we trip on 

when 
it's so black all day has ceased
when life is as bleak 
as bleakest jet
i lie back 
look to the core 
of the charcoal night

i gaze deep 
into the soul 
of the ancient pitch
and ask "do
the stars still shine tonite?"

J. Kevin Wolfe