Today marks one year since this planet lost you.

I want to honour this anniversary with this sculpture. An homage to the kingdom we built inside our heads, and a letter to you.

The first time I laid eyes on you, the noise I’d carried my whole life finally fell silent.

The disorder that had always stood between me and other people simply wasn’t there.

I walked towards you as though we’d already met somewhere beyond this life.

For someone who has always felt like an alien on this planet, the first time I looked into your eyes, I saw home.

You nursed me to health.

You bandaged my wounds.

You bathed me and washed the blood from my hair.

You turned your room into a sanctuary where I could rest.

You made my bed.

You nourished my body after years of self-inflicted famine.

You didn’t save me. You reminded me that I was worth saving.

You taught me that I deserved to take up space.

That I belonged on this planet.

That I was worthy of love.

And that one day, we would reign over the kingdom we’d imagined together.

You dared to take in the beast everyone else ostracised.

You held my hand in a way no one else ever had.

I still can’t believe I was fortunate enough to meet someone like you.

You taught me how to be.

You gave me hope for what a human being could be.

I like to imagine you’re somewhere beyond this world.

Exploring a new realm.

Searching for your people.

Still creating.

Flourishing.

I hope you’re at peace.

Thank you for holding me the way you did.

Thank you for making this world feel a little less lonely.

Until we meet again, the kingdom lives on.