thankless by Ella Paul (17, New Jersey)

when the stars close
their weeping eyes,
who takes pause from shiver
to wish them good night?

​when the stars open
and our blood begins to thaw,
how many will cry gratitude
before falling to rage?

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i​s our destiny intertwined
incandescently primed
so that the surcease of the soul
is mere vulture?

circling and searching,
trembling and blooming,
where do the thankful go?