This piece alters between a letter to my future daughter and a letter to my eighteen-year-old self. Who knows, perhaps it's both - we shall see.

you are of the stars

& so you are a miraculous beam of light with mysteries inside you that even the wisest & bravest can only dream of understanding
(but be kind to those who dare to try, for they are rare, even if they need a helping hand or two to guide them in the right direction)

the breath upon your lips is new
but your soul, my love, knew the moon in its youth
& together you played, altering the tides

your bones are extinguished comets, desperate for flight
your innards are stardust, your heart the sun, & your brain a supernova

all this to say that right now
you may feel a long way from home,
& the darkness may seem infinite and overwhelming
but i implore you, never forget from where you come

find that which i know is within you & shine & shine & shine

& one day you will find a home within yourself

& all the starlight that once seemed so far away will be at your fingertips

& you will form constellations to light up even the darkest corners of your soul

& you will finally realize that the universe has been inside you all along