marry the night

The sky was clear, with stars distinctly scattered across the celestial canvas above. Perspiration cascaded incessantly down my face, and I savoured the saline taste on my tongue with deep sighs of contentment. I knew I should focus on the path ahead to avoid tripping and potentially injuring myself, yet I couldn't resist gazing upwards, captivated by the faint starlight as I maintained my steady jog.

The atoms that constitute life are traceable to the primordial expulsion of stars many aeons ago. At that moment, I felt an immediate connection to the night sky and its contents, my contents.

Simultaneously, Marry the Night played on. At that moment, I thought, yes, the night is dark and full of terrors, but perhaps I have adored the stars too deeply to fear the night. I will not relinquish my life. I could not discern whether the salty taste was from perspiration, tears, or both. Yet, I was overwhelmed by myriad sensations from every conceivable direction. The profound connection.

I felt truly at home in the dark. I had always believed I was running away from something, but this run made me realise there was nothing to flee. Instead of evading the many challenges life has presented, I embraced them. Sometimes, white flags symbolise purity, a fresh start. I surrender.