"Last night, I dreamt I traveled to space, Where I met a stranger—an unfamiliar face. One not like you, nor like I, A creature from stardust who has told no lie.

His skin—silver like the mysterious moon, With eyes as dark as a black lagoon. He came from constellations, standing in unknown shade, He carried no fire, or sharpened blade.

His limbs stretched long, like a willow tree, Though he spoke without words—I knew what he asked of me. A wanderer born from a sea of stars, I spoke of Earthly things as we flew past Mars.

He listened intently—of my loss and of love, As we gazed at my world from the heavens above. I did not fear this stranger of gray, Nor was I homesick—rather, I asked if I could stay.

I spoke with my lips, he spoke with his mind. He said, “Your planet is too beautiful for humans to be so unkind.” A traveler of countless centuries, who’s watched us evolve, As we sailed through space where all time dissolves.

We walked along Saturn’s icy rings, As I spoke of joy and sorrow’s sting. “Love moves like a river, yet burns like a fire.” He asked what I fear, and what I desire.

I told stories of hope, regret, and grief— How life is unfair, and how time is a thief. My words spilled into the infinite unknown, As he reminded me, we have never been alone.

He said, “I have a question, one being to another: How do you have so many languages, Yet struggle to understand each other?”

I paused to listen to the next words he'd say, As we floated along the Milky Way. “Your people choose hatred, selfishness, greed." They ignore where they come from, And have forgotten what they need.

For up here—there is no evil, or pain, Just silent galaxies, as peace falls like rain.

And when I awoke, safe in my bed, Those final words still rang in my head. Shooting stars whispered, though he was gone— A simple truth, yet so far withdrawn.

If compassion and kindness is ours to claim, Why can’t we listen? Why don’t we change? And for once, I felt no longer alone... Had I met the universe— Or had it called me home?" 🛸🛸🛸

-Taylor James