Dearest Star-Stuff, 
Beloved ball of atoms, assembled, 
Sweet mass of synapses, firing. 

Breath and life 
in breath. 

Each molecule 
bonded with the You-ness of You, 
the We-ness of Us, 
is the 
Universe 
displaying 
its 
dazzling 
complexity. 

Elements 
arranged, 
transposed. 

Are we not infinite? 
Are we not transcendent? 

We are Intertwined Possibility. 
We are Yet-to-be-Perfected Perfection. 

We are Hope 
and Life 
and Meaning 
and Beauty 
and Joy 
and Sadness 
and Ecstasy 
and Disillusionment 
and Gathering 
and Abandonment 
and Gathering and Gathering again. 

We are. 
We are. 

We are the Universe, writ Large 
and 
small 
and infinitesimal 

and Magnificent. 

Not to be destroyed, 
though some may try, 
but transformed. 

Beloved Star-Stuff, 
We are the Universe composed. 
A sonnet. 
A symphony. 
A supplication. 

We are each other’s home. 

We are. 
And we always were. 
And we always will be, 
Here. 

Always Enough. 

This poem, inspired by Carl Sagan, was written by Kris(ta) Faith Westervelt (they/them) for the 2026 ‘Boro Pride Spirituality Night. Kris is a Humanist chaplain and facilitates grief support groups, primarily within the LGBTQIA+ community.