Look To The Stars Poem by Jim Yerman

If you look to the heavens this evening...if you can remember, or if you care
You will be treated to a celestial event that is relatively rare.

Once every couple of years because of the way their orbits intertwine
The Earth, the Sun and the planet Mars wondrously align.

It means that Mars and Earth will be in opposition and if you’re wondering why
It’s because they will be on opposite ends of a line as you look across the sky.

Astronomers take their defining seriously as they explore our outer space
Which makes me wonder, lately, about some stars in the human race?

Say Gwyneth Paltrow looked at the sky tonight...her definition would be more supple.
She wouldn’t see planets in opposition...just consciously uncoupled.

If I use her logic...when I look into the mirror there’s not a bald man standing there,
Just a man who for whatever reason is taller than his hair.

In the end we’re only kidding ourselves when these definitions we begin forcing
For I am still a bald man and Gwyneth is divorcing.

Perhaps that’s why we love to look to the heavens...for their sheer simplicity
Up there we are relatively sure of the wonders that we see.

Down here on Earth our definitions can be a little nebulous and obscure
And the way that we define ourselves...well...we can’t always be too sure

So this evening I’ll look with awe to the sky and rub my bald head joyfully
As I give thanks that Gwyneth Paltrow doesn’t practice astronomy.