Already the countdown has begun: 
4 billion years until Andromeda 
collides with the Milky Way, rupturing 
forever that footpath through the forest 

of dreamers jewels. I would scoff, 
if I did not recall the tracery of fine hairs 
swirled across an infant skull 
like the softest of inbound galaxies.

Andromeda, all your starry wonders 
cannot salve the ache of baby teeth 
chanced upon, this 2 am., 
at the bottom of a bedside drawer.