The Planetarium

The college has a planetarium
after hours, it goes under an alarm
because of the expensive equipment
all computerized, hackers do great harm.

Last night, the alarm went off
alerting me that someone had broken in
drawing my gun, I went up the spiral stair
and there stood a girl, no more than ten.

She looked at me through sad, teary eyes,
and said, as I was putting away my gun,
"I'm sorry, Ms. Policelady, I needed a star
and I figured nobody would miss just one.

You see, from what my mommy said
to me before she died
I could reach for a star if I need her
and she'd be right there by my side.
But you came instead, so I guess she lied."

I knelt in front of the little girl
and I reached to hold her hand
"God in heaven sent me here to make sure you understand.

My mommy died when I was ten
and I reached so high, so far
I just knew if I could grab it,
I'd be able to hold that star...

but our mommies didn't mean the stars in here
nor did they mean the stars in the sky
the stars our mommies were talking about
are memories", and I winked my eye.

"So you see, little Ms. Stargazer,
you've only understood in part-
Mommy sent me here
to make it very clear
every star you'll ever need is here within your heart."
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