I Miss the Stars

I miss the stars
And the salt of the ocean.
I miss the whinnying of horses
And the smell of pine trees.

I miss you
And your scent like the mulch of the earth.
I miss Mamma’s granola
And the sound of the guitar.

I miss cotton fields
And August in Savannah,
I miss sparks from a fire
And steaks grilled with corn.

I miss childhood,
Was there ever one?
I miss innocence,
Cloaked in words.

I miss parades
And peace rallies.
I miss promises
And pacts between pals.

I miss the stars:
Orion, the Crab Nebula, the Big Dipper.
I miss long nights not sleeping
And waking to birds.