My vast, celestial arms

embrace the Earth,

my lonely lover.

She maps and names

the freckles on my shoulders,

elbows, hands;

I notice her striving

to understand me

and I smile,

until I see her blue

fading to gray.

My sweet Pandora,

please,

don’t burn yourself too far.

There are boxes you

can’t open,

wonders you just

won’t see,

and I’d hate to say goodbye

to the only living planet,

the only one who makes me

feel known.