What the Star Did

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.  - Matthew 2:7-9

The star knew how to burn

and keep its distance.

That was its work -

to stay where it was set

and not interfere.

The dark was familiar.

It had its habits.

Time moved easily there

as long as nothing changed.

Then something entered the hours

that didn’t belong to them.

Not brightness -

weight.

The kind you notice

when something leans

without announcing itself.

The star sensed it

before seeing anything.

A stillness spreading,

as if the sky were settling

around one place

it hadn’t accounted for.

It hesitated.

Stars don’t get involved.

They keep their courses.

That’s the arrangement.

Below, the world went on

the way it usually does;

doors closed,

power sleeping,

violence resting

for the moment.

The star knew what signs invite.

That attention leads to counting.

That counting rarely ends well.

It considered dimming.

Breaking its light enough

to be missed.

Letting the whole thing

pass unnoticed.

But some things

pull harder

than habit.

So it stayed where it was.

Not brighter.

Just there.

A few faces lifted.

Direction took shape.

GBS jr

2020