A Hoag's Object Lesson Poem by Harley White

This rare cosmic rendering in review
a galaxy nucleus shows
with a circular ring of young stars blue
that around the gold center goes.

Hoag, the discoverer, gave it his name,
now in astro-records installed,
and the object conferred his claim to fame,
though also technically called.

Categorized as atypical ring
it spreads in width of full display
a hundred twenty thousand light-year swing,
somewhat bigger than Milky Way.

The stellar orbs in the red-yellow sphere
of Hubble's symmetrical scene
have hues which make them much older appear,
while the dark-looking gap between

lends even more mystery to the whole
already puzzling to explain,
with its elements seeming to unroll
in manner that boggles the brain.

At one o'clock place in the space could be
another one like it behind
resembling that galaxy, strange to see—
all told, an exceptional find!

Serpens Constellation in northern skies
six hundred million light-years out
is where enigmatic Hoag's Object lies
which stuns stargazers hereabout.

This lazuline world that humans call home
is with myriad marvels graced
having sapphire seas neath an azure dome
with emerald groves interlaced.

High mountainous peaks paint the earth in streaks.
Life abounds in its every guise.
All the wonders are here that mankind seeks,
if only we'd open our eyes!

But I have permitted myself to stray
from the Object's crux to be solved,
as astro-science continues to weigh
theories of how it evolved.

An ‘object lesson' is a method used
as an educational aid
preventing people from getting confused
through concrete example portrayed,

such as in the case of concepts abstract
sensorially recognized
beyond what's observed as objective fact,
so both head and heart are apprized.

What principle can Hoag's Object impart
with formation our grasp defies?
For no matter how well-informed or smart,
we need an approach to be wise.

Perhaps the galactic structure could teach
or serve as cautionary tale
not to rush to judgments or overreach
lest faulty perceptions prevail.

Said Seneca many a moon ago
in a philosophical quote
that addresses what now we do not know,
midst the numerous words he wrote,

‘The day will arrive when are brought to light, '
by versification rephrased,
‘perplexities which were hidden from sight,
with later descendants amazed

‘that with research things which to them are clear
could have stymied those in the past.
For a lifespan entire applied to sheer
study of a subject as vast

‘as the sky would not have sufficient time,
and thus to the ages ahead
must be left, far from our reason and rhyme,
when remembrance of us is dead.'

So let the astronomers be at ease
that there's much more to comprehend
regarding Hoag's Object, for by degrees
the knowledge will come in the end…

And cosmic awareness shall be the fate
for the seekers who dare to yearn
to pursue the path with the purpose great
of reality's truth to learn.