Not Always Poem by Harley White

When galaxies pass others by
and make a ‘taffy-pulling' change
they call them ‘tugs of war', but why,
for might these be a rearrange
of non-anthropomorphic scheme?
Not always are things what they seem.

A photo snapped by Hubble scope
of galaxy termed NGC
seven seven one four flings rope
as though a passageway to flee
that's faintly visible in stream,
if looks were strictly what they seem.

At right, unseen, outside of frame,
another galaxy, it's said,
with one ascending number name
of that portrayed in stellar spread
is playing part within the team.
Things are not always what they seem.

Then there's that so-called starry loop
that splashes out from central core.
Are those misfits who've flown the coop
in search of special evermore
within their own quixotic theme?
Or are things only what they seem?

Incredible how much we know,
I use ‘we' rhetorically,
or what our mathematics show,
on that stargazers can agree.
Still of ourselves we've scarce a gleam
if things be more than what they seem.

Likewise are black holes truly holes?
Could they be leading to a place
where we'd have unimagined roles
within the cosmos' vast embrace?
Is there enlightened space supreme
ineffable as this may seem?

We're here beneath our lantern's glow,
caught up in poses and pretense,
awhirl on dot of indigo
amidst a universe immense
while graced with Goldilocks's beam.
Are not things more than what they seem?

Astronomy can take us far
beyond the reaches of our ken,
to catch a glimpse of distant star
with unsuspected where and when.
Could earthly life be but a dream?
Not always are things what they seem.