The First Sky Quilt

Drawing by Audrey DeChadenedes

Today was the day

we woke up under

the first sky quilt,

calling earliest as

big days do

just like you wanted.

People are possessions;

require care and feeding

from a capacious heart and

all the time—guessing.

Classes improve classes

that are games that are

games—yet 

we are born 

knowing.

It is quiet in here

just like I wanted.

Astronomer, astronomer

I'll tell you what I see

when I look to the stars

Me.

- this poem is a posthumous collaboration with words and inspiration taken from the original poem “Astronomer, Astronomer, Astronomer” by Valerie DeChadenedes, age 17, created with her communication device. Drawing by her mother Audrey DeChadenedes.

Ken Owen

Van Niddy Press,  October 2019