HAPPY SOLAR RETURN THE STARS AND THE BLACKNESS BETWEEN THEM The first time I ever dreamed of my book, it was in the shower in a broke-down house with a squirrel infestation in the attic that I used to rent a room out of. It felt like a light shone into my head under the hot wet streams and I got the first inkling of Afua and Mabel. They were in an existential conversation with each other, in a constellation of love and Blackness. Then Audre came, then sweet beloved and wild Queenie! Sequan, Coco, Sahir, Ursa, Jazzy, Terrel and Makeba all materialized into the story. They had so much to feel and explore with me. They would wake up early in the morning or be up late at night, crying and writing, laughing and writing, just mesmerized by this world. The astrology of it, the cosmology, the humor, feelings, pain and existentiality of it. This book lived underground in me, each spirit trying me on through the day. Sweeeeet thanks to all of you who have read this book, shared this book, lent this book, checked it out of the library, stole it, got it from an ex-lover or old friend, gave it to your children, your nibblings, your gay aunties and uncles, bought several copies and gave them to the beloveds in your life as gifts. I am grateful to all of the places and spaces this book has given me. Thank you to everyone who with their tear soaked fingers stroked page after page into themselves and sat with their teen feelings with love and sweetness. My life is changed and my gratitude big! P.S. I got a birthday gift for y’all to share tomorrow! hehehehe... Loooove yallll!