This evening
on a nature trail
I saw dandelions on the side,
one beckoning.
I bent over,
slid my fingers under it and lifted,
cradling tender bloom in my palm.

Rather than make a wish,
I gave it a kiss and blew it into the world,
an act of gratitude.

As I turned to watch each seed
sail off in an orange sunset breeze,
I saw stars shooting across
the universe’s starry sky.