we have a story for you

here are two (two!) beautiful poems taking place somewhere in space (or on the way there). we’re delighted to have another platform for our contributors’ work - incredible wide-ranging stories from everywhere that need to be heard. we genuinely love these pieces and can’t wait for you to read them too! here is the ninth of the series, from mnemotope issue 006.

U R a star by Catrine

All the children gathered in the airplane

They were to find their own star

And they

The stars

Were so far up

What should I bring for such a flight?

They asked each other

Hoping the others had the answer

The kid with the long beautiful dark hair wanted to bring a backpack

In that the kid thought to put in a bottle of sunscreen

This kid knew that their star would be very very hot

Another kid

The one with the soft cheeks and the dimples simply grabbed a pair of sunglasses

And pocketed them just before boarding the plane

Their star would be a shiny one

There were no doubts

Then there was the kid with the angular shoulders and

The big broad smile

This one had no idea how a star would be

Especially ones own star

No this kid only wondered about the trip up there

So they buttered one hundred pieces of toast

The white kind

One more kid was ready for the big journey

To the stars

And this one

The one with the green eyes and the white teeth

Had thought for days of what to bring

The kid arrived to a decision

And the day before the journey put out paper

And a pen

The kid briefly considered stamps

But then thought

How or to whom were they to send a letter

They didnt know

And even less did the kid know what words

They would write down

Once they were seeing?

standing on?

Or holding?

Or hugging...?

Kissing?

Could I?

Laughing with?

Oh I hope

Living on

Swimming in?

This would be a dream!!!!

Loving?!?

Being with forever!!!

Never to let go of again

Right???

Will stay forever and ever

Can I be this???

Their star

xoxo

Chips On The Moon by Nathan A S Armstrong

If you think I’ll ask for the impossible, I won’t

I just ask if we give what’s possible a review

Some things stay still, and some things don’t

The world, in time, turns all our heresies true

Love, sometimes my love, love is the Atlantic

Someone has to go first, go further, be brave

Have faith that they would not be enchanted

Pulled down by mermaids in deathly embrace

Instead, they named their ship “Semper Amor”

They hoisted sails as sure as a seraphim wing

To the call of the drum, they take up their oars

Onwards they push, arms taut, eyes shining

As they put their trust in the ends of the earth

That it would always find it’s way back around

To the beginning, just like I, with my last breath

Will always find my way to you, safe and sound

However fast the horizon runs out in front of me

I too will chart a hopeful course to that blue line

And I will meet you there, where sky meets sea

In every single time, in every impossible lifetime

Once we’ve spanned uncrossable salt and foam

Let’s push higher still, and be the first into space

One more adventure before night calls us home

Let’s light up the dark like a comet’s trail-blaze

We can make a carnival of colour up in the sky

Our one pulse, our one breath a heavenly tune

With one small step and a giant leap, you and I

Could be eating chips together up on the moon

see you soon!

your bog bodies