I first encountered “Star-crossed” in a literature class while completing my Communications degree at De La Salle University-Manila. Ronald Baytan is a literature professor and had just released a book on LGBT poetry called The Queen Sings the Blues. “Star-crossed” is one of the works in the book that I found to be most inspired, with lyrical text that lends itself to music perfectly. Shortly after, I wrote to Dr. Baytan and got his permission to set the text.

The poem likens two lovers to elements of nature that cross paths but never end up together, much like star-crossed lovers. The vocal writing uses a lot of word painting, while the piano texture and harmony evokes the solemnity of unrequited love.