The Girl with the Umbrella of Stars

The Girl with the Umbrella of Stars

She walked through the square at peace,

an umbrella made of stars above her head.

People turned but said nothing,

as if wonder should not be spoken aloud.

She smiled at me once, brief as breath.

Her eyes held constellations of her own.

I asked her where she found that light,

and she said, it found me in prayer.

The rain touched everyone but her.

Even sorrow hesitated to fall.

When she was gone, it went dull again,

she had taken the colour with her.

Now when the sky breaks open,

I look up and try to find her again.

Not because I need her to return,

because she taught me how to shine.