Our loft starship, tear-shaped pod of night,
Glows inward with familial joy,
A hearth of laughter, warm, bright—
Hearts leap across deep space
Safe from cold, despair,
Bitter nothing—
Soul lanterns
Light us
Home.
Cataloging librarian Adele Gardner (www.gardnercastle.com) is an active member of SFWA and HWA and Clarion West graduate. With 46 stories and 252 poems in Deep Magic, Daily Science Fiction, PodCastle, Strange Horizons, and more, she has a poetry book, Dreaming of Days in Astophel, available under prior byline Lyn C. A. Gardner. Adele lives under her middle name to honor her father, mentor, and namesake, Dr. Delbert R. Gardner, for whom she serves as literary executor.
