Status Updates From Future Home of the Living God

The pomegranate is a swirl of tiny strokes--rose and mandarin pink and smoky scarlet. It does not touch the glass, but casts a shadow into its interior. There seems to be a tense but loving relationship between the pomegranate and the water glass. Perhaps, I think now, like the relationship between you and me.

And the sky has bloomed, it is verdant with stars. I've never seen stars like this before. Deep, brilliant, soft. I am comforted because nothing we have done to this earth affects them. I think of the neurons in your brain connecting, branching, forming the capacity I hope you will have for wonder.

We are so brief. A one-day dandelion. A seed pod skittering across the ice. We are a feather falling from the wing of a bird. I don't know why it's given to us to be so mortal and to feel so much. It's a cruel trick, and glorious.