From the green world

Floating beyond collapsed stars

I glide for many, many years

For so long, time stopped for me.

And when I arrived

In another galaxy

A gate waited for me

In welcome:

“Salutations. Rest here

and you may see old friends.”

After the shaky landing I walked

Their corridors,

Searching for the ones I’ve lost,

The echos of those I left behind.

These people were near my age.

I’ve crossed doors and platforms and storage and

No one else.

Except

One voice

Stopped me mid-step

So I turned and saw

Someone

(her)

Long dead, to me.

An android, to me.

This one did not know who I was,

Just where I’ve been

With a system update.

And so, I spoke our password

And her camera-eyes blinked in learned recognition.

I have no compass… this feels South;
It’s towards the clouds threatening thunder
And toward home.

A temporary escape outside– enough time
to remember to confess
as the strings soar.

If there were stars, I would count them
But the raindrops will have to do.
Either way, I just keep breathing.

Counting down to my place of return:
Where I am safe and whole
Nursing the poet, so terrified
Yet still compelled to sing
After all this time.