Where have they gone, the stars?

The heavens are dark like a velvet drape

To block out the light,

Hope,

Faith. 

Is the endlessness of the night illusionary

What burdens have we to carry?

Can we see the sun rise?

Will we make it to the dawn?

The coming light of hope creeping across the sky?

In an emptiness,

Deep

Cold.

Lost in the expanding void of sorrow, growing.

In the total dark, not knowing

Will tomorrow come?

Stone hearts weigh heavy, crushing,

Breaking our backs and souls beneath it.

The burden of sorrow,

Pain, 

Grief.

For how do we navigate the dark

Without the identifying mark

Of guiding stars?

No glimmer of light, to comfort,

To remind us tomorrow will soon come?

How shall we know

Breathe,

Hope?

Will we drown before tomorrow?

Stumbling into a sea of sorrow,

Sinking down…

Tears fill the sea with salt water,

Flooding the darkness with cold water,

A growing tide

Ebbing

Flowing

But reflected in the water are seeds

Of memories, kind deeds,

Glowing bright.

A sea, as dark as the velvet sky,

That hangs empty now, starless, hopeless.

But the waves

Gathering,

Reflecting,

A million tiny candle flames dance, glow

Inviting you to go,

To the other shore.

Are the stars truly gone

Hidden from the world that needed their light?

Are they there

In the sea

Glowing

Calling

A message of hope for the lost

Guiding us across

A vast sea.

Where have they gone, the stars?

They have fallen to the ocean to guide us.

From the darkness.

Hopeless,

Grief.

They came into view of downcast eyes,

From the lofty skies, 

To bring us home.