STAR SNATCHERS

In the summer of 2019, I embarked on a journey to hike to the summit of Kawah Ijen volcano. The climb was steep and challenging, with the hot, humid air weighing heavy on my lungs. But as I ascended higher, the view became increasingly breathtaking.

As I approached the crater rim, my attention was caught by something unexpected. There, lining the edge of the crater, were burnt wood skeletons. The charred branches formed a fence of sorts, twisted and contorted by the intense heat and force of the volcano. The sight was eerie yet captivating, a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature.

But it was the way the branches seemed to reach towards the stars that truly caught my attention. As I looked closer, I couldn"t help but see the burnt wood skeletons as long arms, stretching up to grasp the celestial bodies above. The stars sparkled in the night sky, casting a soft light over the ashen remains.

The image stayed with me as I made my way back down the mountain. The burnt wood skeletons and the stars seemed to blend together, a testament to the raw beauty and power of nature. It was a reminder that life can be both fragile and enduring, and that we must appreciate every moment of its wonder.