When I was little
The sky danced with new stars
My dad bundled me up
And took me out for night walks

Cradled in his arms
He pointed out the Big Dipper
The Little Dipper
The North Star
Betelgeuse
I don’t remember the story of Betelgeuse
But I remember it was significant
Because my dad pointed it out to me
Betelgeuse is yellow
Far away from Earth
And I know that the older you get
The more distant you become
Farther and farther away from those
Who captured you in their warm embrace
Never reluctant to offer comfort
When it was needed most
The stars
Glisten in the bright sky
elegant
full of life’s greatest secrets
Cradled in his arms
Protected by his warm embrace
His breath cold against my cheek
We watched the stars spin
Above the earth and life as we knew it