Tacenda

Swallowing Stars

As the sun set each twilight
I gifted the universe a wondrous sight
My dark limbs reached out into the world's corners
Bringing sleep to both lovers and mourners

All took rest, wrapped in my ebony embrace
Except for one curious lad who looked me in the face
Each night he stared starry eyed
Soaking in the glittering lights I bore with pride

My planets and moons he barely gave a glance
But my stars put him in a trance
I stared shyly back with affection
Lost in his blatant adoration

When he first reached out his greedy fist
My fond heart saw no reason to resist
So I allowed him to steal a piece of my glittering magic
Leaving me with a hole in my cosmic fabric

My star trembled with energy in his grip
Before he stuffed it through his hungry lip
My resilient orb refused to fadeout
As it illuminated the boy from the inside-out

I watched it travel down, shining behind his skin
Even with a burning throat and gut he kept his grin
I tried to keep in sight my treasured star's path
But it's last sliver of light died, strangled by the boy's wrath

The loss reverberated through the rest of my cosmic infinity
But I was willing to offer him endless charity
His loving gaze left me unraveled and unstitched
So try as I might, the gap he made could not be patched

I was convinced one piece of my galaxy would sooth him
But reality soon set in shockingly grim
I loyally bled out for him, star after star
So that at all times he could keep one balanced on his lips like a lit cigar

It didn't take long for the empty darkness to spread
Each stolen star left me feeling cold and dead
But only when I found I had no stars left to cry
Did I finally realize his eyes had always been emptier than my sky