I Wish I... | Angelina Wu

STAR SEARCHING

Leena Mehendale

On the jet-black nights where the sky seems to blend in with the ground seamlessly, I stumble out through the iron-spike gate separating the vast world from my backyard. Billowing clouds of dust arise from my heavy footsteps as I precariously avoid crushing young grass seedlings streaked with multifarious dainty wildflowers. Through the darkness, my eyes struggle to discern dark figures of motionless owls perched on thick, black branches with gleaming bright yellow eyes, spotlights amidst an empty stage. Spring grasses intertwine with plant stems while dead leaves hang lifelessly from sturdy oak trees and their decrepit, gnarled stumps. Squirrels hurry back and forth from their cozy lodgings in a hollowed-out pine tree, gathering fallen nuts for the fast-approaching wintertime. Stars above shine their heavenly light on all wandering souls below, beckoning those to feast their eyes on midnight’s beauty. The moon glows faintly behind a canopy of the trees as if hiding from an unknown seeker. Adoring mothers describe the sky’s pictures to their fascinated children, faces lighting up with joy upon spotting the brilliant constellations; tender lovers confess fervent passions to the stars’ glory with assurance that their secrets will remain locked away; apprehensive, hopeless mourners weep, tear-streaked faces with salt permanently crystallized on their eyelashes searching through darkness for a sign.