Looking at the Stars Has Never Made Me Feel Small

"I've started remembering to look up again." 
– Naledi Biyela 

When I was younger, I would take my Natural Science textbook out in the yard and look at the night sky... Trying to find the exact constellations illustrated in my book. 

The first to catch my eye were three stars lined in a perfect row, infamously known as Orion's Belt. Please understand, I was in 7th grade, and nothing could convince me I wasn't the second coming of Einstein with this find. Looking at the stars has always made me feel important rather than insignificant. Out of an infinite number of possibilities, I happened to exist

It's been a long time since I've stargazed, but I was recently inspired to look up one night and saw my old friend Orion. For the first time ever, I could actually see the outline of a hunter, like a join-the-dots drawing, and I was reminded of the joy I once found in my little discoveries.

Later, I penned this poem to capture that feeling of curiosity and adventure all over again. 

Orion, it's considered impolite

To stand around all night

Bow stretched taut waiting for prey

to fall in your lap

Orion, you'll never find the perfect catch

Take what you can and leave it at that

Orion, I was only 16 when I told you 

my plans for world domination

And you listened, riveted

Preparing to make your own mark in the night

Now I'm a decade older and yet, 

You have not gotten any closer