Pandora (S/1980 S26)
moon of Saturn first discovered in 1980 by Voyager I
It begins & ends:
a journey, like my
cycle, distance narrows
in relation to other
galactic companions.
overtaken every 25 days.
Lining up to meet often, still
when I’m closest you’re furthest away.
Periapsis to apoapsis.
Our value yet to be confirmed.
Evil enters & hope
follows, but the velocity
escape is neither
crisp nor clean. Chaotic
orbital paths coated,
in fine debris.
Although she claims Memphis as home, Janet Dale lives in Georgia where she teaches first year writing at Georgia Southern University and is a count volunteer for VIDA: Women in the Literary Arts. Nominated for a Pushcart Prize (2021), her work has appeared in The Boiler, Hobart, Zone 3, and others.
