This time last year-.

This time last year we were not friends.
This time last year we were not friends, either.
I'm glad that we changed.
I'm glad we are friends now.
Although I'm not sure how we happened.

But we happened.
This time last year-
it's not that I didn't like you;
it's not that you didn't like me,
but I was here,
and you were not.
You were there
and I was not.
Then we happened upon the same place where we laughed, cried, and tried to tell each other a few lies,
but we were quickly undone when our boundaries faltered,
crumbling heavily and loudly onto the ground.
This time last year we wanted protection-
searched everywhere within- why didn't it occur to us to look out?

This time last year we were not friends.
This time last year we did not know we could trust each other so well.
This time last year we were strangers.
This time this year I am glad we can be different together.

I didn't kill the spider.

I just loosed a spider into the wild.

I can't remember the last time I did that because I don't think I've ever done that before.

I am usually terrified of spiders.

But a couple nights ago, I re-watched James and the Giant Peach; James Trotter didn't kill the spider. He protected the spider from his insane aunts Spiker and Sponge. Little did he know that later he would befriend it...her, rather, Miss. Spider.

So, tonight, I couldn't kill the spider because James Trotter didn't kill the spider- though the spider fell on my leg, I still tried to pick it up with a piece of paper but it refused, more terrified of me than I of it. Then I lost it** altogether, until a dance student found it across the room still scrambling away to safety. I lunged at it, wanting to save it from terrified squeals and spastic stomping feet.

I don't know that I rescued the little insect. It probably didn't feel very rescued. What small thing does when a giant reaches down for it?

More to the point: a movie based on one of my favorite children's stories influenced me to befriend- to take mercy upon- to rescue- not to kill- an otherwise scary and misunderstood animal.

Ah, I feel something that wants to be written.








**edit- 6 December: I did not 'lose it' in the sense of going stark, raving mad- I actually lost the spider. I couldn't find it, I was so sad.

Orion.

Orion, come sooner above me
because I have missed you so.

Orion, you should not have left me;
I suspect you love me no more.

Orion, you obey too well the dance of the night
and the turn of the earth.
This year ignore them.
Listen to me:
don't make me follow you
when you should follow me.

Orion, stay.
Leave your sword, bow and arrows-
you need not protect yourself here
for with me you are safe.

Orion, I should not wish upon you,
yet you've heard every prayer, every word I have ever said;
but you've never spoken, no, never spoken a word to anyone.
...because you can't talk.
No, you won't talk!
Orion, please share with me!

Orion, I misuse you.
Of course you do not hear.
I have not heard you!
You and I will not hear for another few thousand, hundred years.

To you do I speak
as you attack and defend.
In you do I confide as my loyal friend.

Orion, when you leave
you must still keep me in sight.
Your arms cradle oceans;
you step from nation to nation- pride in every stride.

Orion, come sooner above me
for I have missed you so.
Come, speak your loudest;
I shall yell, too.
Then our dry veins will flow with histories
our descendants will struggle to decipher,
still begging you to come sooner, and stay-
still reaching out for the hand I offer.