she sat calmly
plucking stars
from the sky

i watched
as she peered
at each one
carefully
murmurmed softly
before setting each
gently
back in place

she handed
one to me
from orion’s belt
a swirling
expanse
pulsing
in my shaking
unworthy grasp

i leaned close
cupped it
in my palm
breathed
an exhalation
of love
into the
gem of pure light

it grew brighter
the flashing array
locked in step
with my heartbeat
more intense
as she grew closer
my pulse firing
across the ebon sky

she sat calmly
plucking stars
from the sky

i sat happily
lost in her
contented smile