Let the starlight guide my path
bear witness to my salvation
my redemption

Remembering things I’ve always known
but always forgetting
I am but a dust mote
—stardust, really
the spent ash of long dead stars
(from ashes to ashes, dust to dust)

Orion gleaming upon my left
as if in flight
bow in hand, string drawn at the ready

And Venus (whom the pagans named Eärendel)
glittering like a holy jewel
against the empty darkness

The sea to my right, the deep black shadow
sight unseen, the sound of the waves unheard
only the slight tang of salt touching my tongue

I remembered to breathe deeply
and if this is the closest I can get to contentment
At this point, I’ll take whatever I can get