Let’s say stars can talk in conversations like the one we had last night about how fast life goes by us, about friends we’ve lost who have relinquished their shine in this universe and what if stars too could say things like we can’t believe Antares is gone, it seems like only twelve billion years ago he was roaming this part of space with us. I am so small. When I left the post office today I waved to a friend and then got embarrassed when I realized it wasn’t him, but then recognized the guy as someone else I knew and for whatever reason it all made me happy, happy to have two friends, happy to have the time to wave, happy there’s a sun in the sky, an ordinary star, just an average star, keeping me warm on my way back home. — CASEY KILLINGSWORTH
Casey Killingsworth has been published in numerous journals including The American Journal of Poetry, Better Than Starbucks, The Moth, and 3rd Wednesday. His latest book is A nest blew down (Kelsay Books, 2021), and a new collection, Freak show (Fernwood Press), is due out in early 2023. Casey, who lives in Washington state, has a degree from Reed College.