Anorak Hood On Stellar Relic Poem by Harley White

In keeping with norms for the current times
of names controversial in paradigms,
albeit the nebula also mimes
a term for the people in ice-cold climes,

the usage has deemed such an epithet
offensive, and therefore to stay on track
NGC Two Three Nine Two I shall let
be ‘on Stellar Relic Hood Anorak'

in lieu of the nickname commonly known,
at least in my rhyming stanzas here versed
for starry remains where Hubble has shown
intricate pattern of streamers dispersed.

By Herschel ‘twas first seen in seventeen
eighty-seven; to some its resemblance
was to a person with head figurine
surrounded by hood of parka semblance.

The more distant layers of gas, it's said,
began to form ten thousand years ago
from Sun-like star within Gemini's spread,
those Twins immortal in heavens' tableau.

It lies in the Milky Way's spiral barred
galactic realm, about five thousand light-
years from the Earth, in that grand boulevard,
which wise Galileo with vast insight,

along with his telescope, saw as stars
each single, and who was character main
in shameful chapter of Mankind's memoirs
when prejudiced rule was given free rein,

as sadly still now is often the case
where truth may be led on unmerry chase
in various spheres of the human race,
which needs a clear mirror to see its face.

This circumstellar gas cloud has a span
of one third a light-year; such thought beguiles
one's fancy, as greater than most minds can
conceive, or five point eight eight trillion miles.

Strong winds are ejecting each inner tress,
whereas outer layers that deliquesce
shape light-year long fibers which coalesce
as filament orange strands in process.

The nebula planetary so called
displays double-shelled gas clouds so complex
that they are not quite understood as sprawled,
in one more unknown to scientists vex.

Let me close with Richard Feynman's esprit,
which I truly hope humankind shall heed:
‘I'd rather unanswered questions, ' said he,
‘than answers that can't be questioned, ' indeed!