This practice of writing with Robert & Sharifa has been beautiful and life giving. This practice revolving around the poetic has cracked me (back) open to some former ways I’ve crafted words. Robert and Sharifa are stellar in their own right. So the three of us are gifting you this interstellar offering (cue the rimshot).
“ad astra per aspera” - to the stars through hardship
My fellow Trekkie Robert was inspired by an episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to tap Sharifa and I on our digital shoulders about a collab. In this particular episode a highly respected officer in Star Fleet, Una, is on trial for who she is, because who she is isn’t “allowed” in Star Fleet. She recounts why she hid her self and pursued not just a career, but a place in the ranks of Star Fleet - and why she is now seeking true belonging. She’s asked to tell her story, and begins with the above phrase.
The third and final writing theme for this series is Rebirth. May you find within our words truth and beauty, story and hope. And may you find more of yourself - not just in our words, but also always always always in the stars.
ad astra per aspera.
I’m a Star (A Double Dutch Chant)
by Sharifa Stevens
My mama told me
First impressions las
Don’t be too rude
Don’t be too fast
But life is funny
Cuz what I see
Is that there’s more
Than one way to be me
I’ve been so slow
I’ve been so nice
When folks took advantage
They didn’t think twice
Then I got wise
Found out I’m a star
Try to stop my shine
You won’t get far
Like the rising sun
I get brand new
Try on fresh shine daily
Naw it can’t fit you
My glow is custom
Be it faded or bright
Better wear some shades
To take in my light
I may be consistent
But I’m never the same
I consume and grow
My soul is flame
Octavia hinted
At first I found it strange
Rebirth is growth
And growth is change
The reflection of a man
by Robert Monson
the boy in the moonlit, watery reflection,
cannot even comprehend the man staring back through time.
distant relatives maybe.
cousins probably.
because what future could there be for a shy, pudgy
boy who was too sensitive for this world?
in the light of the moon,
with the sounds of the night
crescendoing into a chorus of life and beauty
the man steps back and sighs.
for who he once was is not all of
who he is now.
baptized in moonlight,
his brown skin shines.
and the tears drip down.
down.
down.
re-birth is as difficult as birth
that's for sure.
with way less resources
and accompanying physicians.
no.
emerging as a reborn man
can be lonely.
fearful.
confusing.
and yet, worth every sigh.
every tear.
every cry for help.
here in the light of the moon,
with the baptismal chorus...
a boy became a man.
Re-Fuse
by Nya S. Abernathy
Oh
Ooooooh
Oh God it's happening
It's the hydrogen
It's turning my stomach and I
Just can't stomach any more...
Hydrogen
Hello Helium!
God my voice, I sound like a mouse
I feel so bloated, I'm big as a house
I cannot take any more...
Ah it's Carbon!
Helium meet Carbon
Give me Oxygen
Give me more!
Now I can breathe
With space and with ease
Ok Helium...AGAIN?
Helium, Oxygen
Now it's Neon. Neon meet
Helium and then Magnesium
Helium and then Silicon
Helium, Sulfur, Argon, Calcium
Titanium, Chromium
God I feel awful
Heavy and tired and sluggish and bloated
Like I could explode
Like a ton of iron is in my core, I could
Just
Ex
PLO...
...
Lighter, better, wider, expansive
Big. And light.
All colors of the rainbow in visible light
Where are we? Free of gravity?
We are ourselves but something wholly new
So bright, did you see us? In your night sky? Our light?
Here the cloud of a former star floats with ease
For years, thousands even billions maybe
Until the day hydrogen gives way to gravity
Blue-hot babies blink into existence
With our old friend helium as an assistant
And a future - though right now distant -
Is wide and expansive and big and bright
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