The first thing I learned was to look wide
at the darkness
and not want anything. He'd say, Just look
at the darkness
and tell me what you see. I'd say, I see stars or
Just the stars, Dad.
And he'd say, Don't call them that yet. What do you see?
Just the stars, Dad.
But then I'd be quiet and let my eyes go and look wide
at the darkness.
It was like a dome. I think it frightened me to stare
at the darkness.
I see light. I see a million little lights. And he'd say
They aren't all stars.
Some were planets and some were planes and I'd say, Yeah,
they aren't all stars.
But not really believe it. But say it so not to feel stupid out there
in the darkness.
From Rocket Fantastic (Persea Books, 2017). Copyright © 2017 by Gabrielle Calvocoressi. Used with the permission of the author.