with the universe sprawling above
starlight dances, shimmering, across your body
anointing your skin with the smell of moonlight

to reach out, to touch would be unthinkable -
but your light rings holy and pure
and i find myself on my knees in prayer

through daunting nights
and carefree days,
through raging storms
and encroaching haze;

through miles of land
and hours of time,
through the early sun
through the darkened sky;

wherever i may be,
wherever you go,
as long as you love me,
i'll be home.

my heart pulses to the beat
of the low fire burning in my chest

it's taken months to stoke this flame
and yet still it is little more than heated stones

through rain and wind i fought
               my arms and soul are weary
but the fight won't be taken from me yet

pour the gold of your heart over mine,
shining rivulets filling up the cracks
left by other burdens
of another time

a trade:
id offer you warmth
and the iron in my blood
to keep you strong through it all

it was with love too
                        sudden
                             too
                               new
                           too
                    shiny
that a heart
sudden heavy
felt as a curse:
something
to fear & mourn

but
acceptance
rang
through the ranks
as a war cry:

bright
and queer
and pure
and he —

who knew
      my pieces
and just
      how they
all
fit
together

— spoke:
       “ a heart is indeed a heavy burden -
          but we can surely offer you a hand. “