For Every New Star

For Every New Star My Life Turns a Little Crazy

There are too many to give them all

names, so we use numbers and letters

with class:  alpha, beta . . . you know

the rest.  Alpha Centauri, the closest

one--you can graduate from college

before her light comes.  If Betelgeuse

died today, no one would live to see the end. 

Do you believe when a star falls

someone dies to take its place? 

I'm not so sure, but when clouds part

after a storm, no matter who shows

up first I say a little prayer: 

if you have my name tattooed on your arm,

stay up there a little bit longer, friend.

                              —Donnell Hunter

Interim  Fall 1989

Before the Tide Comes In 1990