A Glimpse of Starlight

growing up just seems to be a long litany of loving people
and losing them

outside in the cold there are two stars visible. the rest 
of the light
comes from our building’s front steps—“just when
                     you get comfortable,”
my friend says, shaking her head

just when the roots curl safe and strong around each other
and find their way through the dark 
that’s when the hoe comes and cuts and throws you in a bleeding
heap: time to
start all over 

i would give anything 
to be in the presence
of the ones i love
forever

.

.