within the granite’s ancient embrace...an aggregate of memory lies dormant...sun-bleached lichen cling to the rock’s rugged skin... solar eclipse unfolds...a cosmic veil...the sun...a crescent of obsidian...casts shadows upon the land...turkey vultures...guardians of decay...ride the thermals...a rabbit crouches... the eclipse reaches zenith...the lichen clings tighter to the stone...stilling the rabbit...the eclipse wanes...granite...stoic and unyielding...cradles them all...as sun returns through the clouds