Before I knew how to make homemade
constellations, I used to
draw out the ones that had already been
found,
Before I knew how to ask the clouds for
advice, I used to ask friends with
bad habits,
Before I knew how to tie my shoes,
I used to wear light-up velcro Skechers,
Before I knew how to chase fireflies, I
used to just look at them, see them blink
into existence for one moment and
then melt into the night sky,
Before I knew that the earth
is a whole lot bigger than my city,
I used to think we were alone,
Before I knew how to write in English,
I used to write in Spanish,
Before I knew how important writing
Spanish would be, I forgot it,
Before I knew that one day my
grandmother would pass, I used to
think that we would have talks
forever,
Before I knew that one day even
the stars would burn out, and that
my constellations would crumble,
Before I knew that the stars we
see are already dead, and we’re just
watching their legacy, light-years away,
fade,
Before I knew that the dandelions
I wished on were dead, I used to
look at the immortal stars and write
my legacy on them.
From the 826CHI Student Publication: Homemade Constellations