Fame

Shining always, bright before me

Like a star among the dark heavens.

It is so far away,

I could never get to it in a lifetime.

I could never reach it in a moment.

I could never master it in a heartbeat.

Though now in the night it seems so close

Hanging there in the heavens like a diamond.

If I took my hand and seized it,

It would be mine forever.

I would wear it on my neck

And it would shine bright,

A light in a dark place,

A light in a dark world,

Wholly mine.

But it is not as it seems,

That shining star in the night--

So small, so pale and safe--

If I were to reach it,

Breeching the gap

Of unending emptiness between us

And loneliness between us,

If I were to reach it

After years wandering alone,

I could not seize it.

It would not be mine.

It would be larger than my eyes could see

An infernal field of red and black

That I could throw myself into and die.

It would consume my heart,

It would destroy my eyes.

I would fall into it despite my resistance,

I would fall into that field of fire,

And all those years I had desired to reach it

Would burn with me into nothingness.

You are beautiful, star of the night,

You are so far away, and small,

You fill my heart with wonder and desire.

You are good, you are beautiful;

Stay there in the sky,

Be what you are not for my sake,

Look down on me always, little star,

And I will stay here waiting.