I looked to the sky And for a second Every star seemed to shine for me. Like a searchlight, Their light pointed toward something And I gathered the courage to chase after it. The crunch of fallen leaves crushed underfoot Filled the night's silence with susurration As I ran, not knowing what I was running for But I knew I had to. All my instincts rung as one. My breath looked like clouds in the wintry air And my feet ached, but I didn’t waver I kept my eyes forward or toward the sky Following the path revealed in brilliance And the stars shined ever brighter. A river appeared And every star, the voluminous yellow moon Reflected clearly on the black water And I was reflected in it too. Every star, the yellow moon, And I, all painted onto nature’s canvas With such harmony, A single tear began to shed And so that tear grew and split Until I was thunderstruck And it all came pouring from me like rain, Every ounce of regret and shame And pain, and fear, and sadness, And joy, awe, love, passion Like a rain that felt as if it would never cease, But it was as unceasing as a breath And I took a deep one, Let the tears fall into ripples And at the moment of impact, All was distorted now But life suddenly felt so beautiful. I dipped my hands into the river And cradled a star so gently And within it, I saw myself So awash with hope and forgiveness I never knew why I never thought this before: Why was I never this kind to myself? Carefully, I released the star back into the water, My hands roaring cold But having felt so enveloped by warmth, I couldn’t care to notice. My hands ached but I was alive. I looked to the sky And felt reassured Because every star that ever shined, Will shine as bright as they did tonight And as that yellow moon slipped away to slumber, I finally looked back and saw what a life I was given. A gift, it's all been such a gift. -k.r.r.
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