we conquered stars
like we were their saviors
unsure of where they fit
into our master plan as
we planted magnolias in them
 
we sowed words of ancient
nobility in their core (because
the sweet dignity of the world
didn’t tell us otherwise)
 
years passed and magnolian stars
flickered dimly against the 
decayed perfection of youth
and brilliance as we
 
plucked our conquered
stars from their magnolian roots
hiding secrets of their beauty
from our changed paths
 
and before we knew it
years stopped arriving 
and magnolias drooped 
along our windowsill
 
as I stood at the door trying to
figure out where I fit 
into your master plan of
magnificence