Help oh can’t you help me see
The way to past eternity
The stars and moons inside me dance
And call to me to take a chance
But stars just don’t know how to be
The human in the human me
The limits of the human skin
The pain that washes out and in
Teach me stars, oh, how to die
Take my body, make it fly
Take my mind and crank to 10
Make me long for Mars again
Earth is lulling, earth is low
The wheel it spins but still goes slow
You’re far away but seem so near
Muddy and you’re all so clear
How can it be, how can it?
If stardust is this very planet
If stardust lurks inside my heart
If I never ended, how to start?
***
Welcome to The ALIVE hour.
Illustration: Shannon Colon
Audio mixing / narrative: Chloe Riley
(with Louie Anderson talking to Terry Gross)
Music: Chloe Riley
Things found in real life
The “objects you gravitate towards,” via a question posed in this episode from last week:
“My mom's taupe kid leather gloves”
“I wear my dad's winter hat every day”
“A wind-up toy set from my Grandparents era as well as toys from my own childhood that I hold onto”
“A teacup and saucer that belonged to my late great grandmother. When I sip tea from it it’s like having tea with a family member I never met”
“A special B-rabbit that has been with me almost 50 years…and my mom's old Irish cardigan. When I need to wear it I can feel her arms around me and it smells of her perfume”
(Photo, Robyn — B-rabbit)
(Photo, Lyn — An old lamp that holds toys from childhood)
This truck that has something to say:
Things found on the internet
This audio slideshow about one man’s search for “the beautiful future” after his uncle’s death:
This newsletter post — about how the author can’t stop watching post-apocalyptic films, especially since the beginning of the pandemic:
She can't stand the post-apocalyptic scenario—the world completely imploding in on itself—and I love it because I'm pretty sure that's already happened and at least in those films, we're getting on with it already. She's trying to preserve, and all I see are ghosts. Her approach is hopeful; mine is, too.
Magic things
Oh yes. Magic things. Like these magic badges, handmade with materials that you’ll hear on today’s episode. Oh, and also made with love. The episode and the badges. Already in the mail for paid subscribers:
To see more badges (and receive one of your own!), consider becoming a paid subscriber. There will be lots of delights, you won’t regret it.
xoxo
The ALIVE hour