Wanderlust
I used to catch falling stars and set them adrift at sea
I formed constellations out of moon dust and traced galaxies into the sand
Waves crested and crashed, and sea foam swirled around my feet
And in the water, I saw the universe inviting me to dive in

Crave
I can still taste your honey on my lips,
your caressing tongue, bitter and pollen-laced.
Whispering bees brush velvet cheeks,
releasing saccharine nectar that floods a willing throat,
savoring your honey

– aelily

Author’s Note: I was born on a sinking island and named after a star. “Wanderlust”’s focus on escapism is a reflection on my wishes to travel and explore. It is also an ode to my mental health struggles—depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This is why “Wanderlust” is such an important piece to me; it’s an amalgamation of who I am and what I love. And I do love hard. I love life despite its hardships, but there are moments when I want to escape—to temporarily disappear until I can feel again.