If we stop learning moon names at Callisto
and Ganymede, where are the other sixty-three
whoop, there goes gravity
If Themisto stubbed his toe, how could we
teach everyone else to cringe?
We are growing,
Elara, we are learning how to reach
higher with the hands we’ve got,
how to be tiny dots full of not-quite fire
in a world so much bigger than desire.
The best advice you gave me,
Elara, was when you silently tied back
your hair and rolled up your sleeves,
cleared your throat and decided
It’s not the fire after all, it’s the light.
And I might have burned out by now
if you hadn’t just rolled up your sleeves
like that, not flaming or fuming or
running or burning but steady,
ready for the rest of forever.
You are fire and water at once,
Elara. You take my hand and we walk
calmly upward, one step
for me and one for you makes two
for womankind.
Stepping over the black hole
of expectations and into the revelations
of well-lit night. You and me,
Elara, now we’re ready.

Enchantment - In the vast gardens of the great castle, under the soft glow of the summer moon, lived a servant girl named Elara. She moved through the castle corridors with grace and humility, her heart filled with dreams beyond her station. And it was on one magical summer night that her destiny intertwined with that of a handsome young prince.

Prince Alden, with his striking features and kind demeanor, often sought refuge in the castle gardens, away from the pressures of royal life. One evening, as he wandered among the fragrant blooms and winding pathways, he caught sight of Elara, tending to the flowers with gentle hands.

Enthralled by her beauty and grace, Alden approached her, his heart racing with a newfound excitement. As they exchanged shy smiles and idle conversation, they found themselves drawn together by an invisible thread, their souls recognizing a kindred spirit in each other.

Under the silver light of the moon, they strolled through the gardens, their laughter mingling with the sweet melody of nightingales. With every whispered word and stolen glance, their connection deepened, forging a bond that transcended the boundaries of their worlds.

As the night wore on, they found themselves alone in a secluded alcove, surrounded by the fragrance of roses and the soft rustle of leaves. There, bathed in the moonlight, they shared their hopes, their fears, and their deepest desires, each word a testament to the growing love between them.

In that enchanted moment, Elara and Alden knew that they were meant to be together, their hearts entwined in a love that defied all odds. And as they embraced beneath the starry sky, they vowed to defy convention and follow their hearts, no matter the consequences.

From that night onward, Elara and Alden's love blossomed like the flowers in the castle gardens, filling their days with joy and their nights with passion. And though their path was fraught with challenges and obstacles, they faced them together, their love shining as bright as the summer moon that had brought them together.   https://youtu.be/mXbIF9eoLZ4

Instead of seeing what you see,
try to see what’s there: here
lies snow blanketing
the home above Jupiter’s
storm. The south-facing
windows have Saturnlight
much of the year, and if
you sit kindly on the porch,
the eighty moons will sing
to you. Observe the shed
in the front garden where your
rover can charge after its
Europa digs. You’ll find the
privacy astounds you,
but you won’t be lonely--
Elara will sing to you.
The snow will hug you,
the space will shun you,
but this you know is true
of any neighborhood.
Now step inside, have a look
at your new view. You are
alone but awestruck.
There is no cul-de-sac, nor
nearby school, but remember
that Elara will sing to you.
Aren’t you interested, then,
in your alone home with
the green eyes? Very well,
but on your way out don’t
forget to turn back--
I did tell you that here lies.