My Stars

I see the river, my stars, I see the river
so wide I cannot embrace it.

I see the rock, my stars, that you gave us
to hold the sky on a plate for our feet.

I see your waves that follow a cadence
my heart tries to teach my breath.

I hear, my stars, your silence
on rock telling me to stand firm.

I think of you, my stars, when the light
blinds so bright I’m tempted to forget.

I am grateful to you, my stars.
I am little, not belittled,

I dream of you, my stars, to fly
through the alleys of the desert

and the furls of the forest
with only my stars to guide me.

I give you the pronoun they.
You deserve that much and more.