Writing Prompt // Stars

Write about the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "stars".

Just like the ocean, the night sky has this weirdly incredible effect on me. On how I’m feeling and what I’m thinking. It’s like I’m floating every time I look up at it and I find myself tempted to grab ahold of something in order to ground myself. I want to ask everyone around me, “Do you feel that too? That pull? Do you feel it?” And I always have this urge to hold someone’s hand. To seek out someone’s touch, their comfort, and then watch as the sky gradually lightens. Changing from black to purple to pink to orange to blue. I want them to feel that thing. That indescribable, almost overwhelming, rush of pure emotion. To be fully aware of every breath. I want them to see the stars and the endless possibilities that they can represent. I want them to feel that same lightness in their chest that I feel in mine. I want them to experience that love - love, for everyone around them at that moment. To find peace in the stillness. And I want them to have that immense feeling  of joy wash over them the same way that I do.  

Someone softly exclaimed, “Look at all of the stars,” as the porch light was turned off. It was pretty hot outside that night. Even at 9pm when the sun was completely gone. It had been a long day filled with family and friends. A last-minute trip and a lot of laughs. Tired from the adventures of the day, but not yet ready for it to come to an end, I walked several feet out into the yard and looked up. Constellations with no names, a moon that seemed to touch the tops of trees, and stars that flickered brightly. “I wonder what that one is…?” I questioned out loud as I pointed at the brightest speck of light that I could see. I immediately started searching for Orion's belt, the north star, and the big dipper. With a bit of confusion as to which direction they would be in I realized at that moment that it had been some time since I had truly looked up. Since I had sat down to appreciate just how small I was compared to the universe. Every night there’s this amazing mixture of color that covers the entire sky. A black, blue, and purple blanket with what looks like silver glitter that’s been scattered out across it. But it stretches on and on forever. Some of the sparkles fade while others get brighter. Some of them fall and then disappear without a trace. Almost as if they had never existed in the first place. It's the cycle of life playing out in the stars.  

That night, as I made my way over to a clearing in a field nearby, I felt perfectly happy. I swayed and twirled around; arms outstretched. When I finally stopped spinning I closed my eyes with a giggle. "I want to feel like this more often," I thought to myself. As I took in a deep breath, steadying myself, I could hear footsteps heading in my direction. They slowly came to a stop in front of me and I immediately caught the scent of eucalyptus and mint. “You look really happy right now,” the voice quietly stated. “It’s that pull you're always talking about, isn’t it?” they asked. I grinned as I nodded in response. Tilting my head back I slowly let out the breath I had been holding and began to open my eyes. As I finally brought my gaze back down I felt slightly different. A new perspective racing through my thoughts. And then there they were, those same stars I had seen up in the sky, shining brightly back at me. Making me feel grounded and weightless all at once. I slowly started to back away, and with a smile spreading across my face, I quietly whispered, “Now do you see what I mean?”

📸by Sleep Music on Unsplash