The Big Dipper

written at age 16

You once showed me the big dipper

And you shone under its light

We counted every star in the sky

You said “close your eyes, make a wish”

(I wished to be with you forever)

You told me you wished to have a star in your pocket

So you reached up and took one from the Heavens

Holding it in your hands while it glowed

            But it crumbled in your fingers and

sunk to the ground, now black

like the dirt under your fingernails

So you reached for another

with a fire in your eyes

I had never known

But that one crumbled too

so you grew angry and said they were yours

            You took all the stars from the sky

Until the Big Dipper was gone

and it was dark and I could no longer

feel you there

but I heard you weeping

for you wished for the light