Day 275: The Disobedience of Stars

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all stars have the tendency to run away
from time to time.

they may begrudge their coordinates in the constellations
and seek to make new markers in the heavens.

they might draw,
like fast moving fireflies,
new pictures
held in momentary glow,

traced by their hasty flight,
and forcing brief illumination of an idea
before fading in the night sky
like smoke-puff silhouettes
against the galaxy.

and they confuse the travelers as they go.

so, of course,
it is the duty
of those celestial strongholds
to bring them back home…

 

but how they do this,
o,
it matters.

 

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said the sun to the wayward star:

“look what you’ve done!
you, breaker of astral order!
how the rules were meant for your safekeeping!

insolent star,
you’ve loosed Orion’s belt
and ungirded all our strength and beauty.

you, corruptor of composition –
go home!”

and he flashed his fire-y finger
as if to scold,
tsk, tsk.
tsk, tsk.

 

the star that heard this admonition
was shamed,
and forgot her twilight revels,
and regretted the pull they had upon her,
and fell.

blaze and bright elegance
flaring
falling
fading
and gone.

what heat can run so cold
to extinguish the light around it?

 

·

 

said the moon to the capricious star,

“my sweet,
your light has traveled far,
and i have watched your scintillant dance.
yes, you must be tired from all that effort, dear,
and how i long to hold you again.

do you recall the twinkling games we play?
could you come home and with me, stay?

look, how the gowns of Cassiopeia
are wanting in your space,
and Cygnus’ trumpet
waits to herald your return!

my love,
my light is waiting,
reflected and held,
in canyons and shadow.

i am undaunted
and ripe with hope.”

 

and the star that heard this lovesong
did stir the universe with gladness
and took up her minuscule throne
in the sea of all those other
disobedient stars
once again,

enticed by compassion
and sight.

∴

 

 

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