Some sources of poetic inspiration were the following…
Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art ~ sonnet by John Keats…
Pale Blue Dot (see Wikipedia)…
Celestial fairy lights (image and article…
NGC 1898: Globular Cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud (APOD)…
Image explanation: This huge ball of stars, NGC 1898, is called a globular cluster and resides in the central bar of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) -a satellite galaxy of our large Milky Way Galaxy. The featured multi-colored image includes light from the infrared to the ultraviolet and was taken to help determine if the stars of NGC 1898 all formed at the same time, or at different times. There are increasing indications that most globular clusters formed stars in stages, and that, in particular, stars from NGC 1898 formed shortly after ancient encounters with the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and our Milky Way Galaxy.
Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA
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Harley White
Poems by Harley White : 54 / 190
Cosmic Jewels - Poem by Harley White
If Keats could have seen through Hubble's eyes
when the sonnet ‘Bright Star' he wrote,
meaning its telescope-imaged skies
with those stellar tableaux afloat,
would he have noted ‘aloft it hung'
‘steadfast' all night in ‘splendor lone',
that poet who died, alas, too young
yet over time whose fame has grown?
Of course such matters can just be guessed
or mused upon in dreamlike lapse
regarding this work to star addressed,
which may Polaris be perhaps.
At any rate, the depiction shown
of NGC One Eight Nine Eight,
viewed in Large Magellanic Cloud zone,
looks like dazzling jewels ornate.
The astral globular cluster sphere,
a stelliferous formation,
lies in southern skies, far off from here,
in Dorado constellation.
Described as ‘celestial fairy lights',
this collection gravity bound
was claimed as one of John Herschel's sights
when in eighteen thirty-four found.
A spectrum wide from the infrared
to the ultraviolet range
was captured for the aggregate spread
to study how star stages change.
For wavelengths different to display
two cameras distinct were used,
and varied tints four filters portray,
all finally together fused.
That glittering cosmic ball contains
more stars than we can comprehend,
each one encompassing its domains,
seen in multi-hued image blend.
How many myriad realms might dwell
within the sidereal crowd,
where creatures ‘out of this world', as well
are poetically endowed?
Would humans be able to perceive
the art of a parallel Keats
however such being could achieve
commensurate lyrical feats?
Returning from these celestial heights
far beyond our firmament's dome
to this planet, there are countless plights
disquieting, closer to home.
Unbridled greed runs rampant on Earth
and is taking a horrid toll.
Deluded from grasping life's true worth,
Man mistakes a part for the whole.
By nature bountifully bestowed,
albeit diamonds in the rough,
we fail to seek an enlightened road
but choose instead to strut our stuff.
Perchance in the heavens' vast expanse
unfathomed in immensity,
a pale blue dot round lone star may dance
where mortals have more sense than we.
Topic(s) of this poem: fantasy, human condition, imaginings , poetry, space, stars, world, earth, astronomy
Form: Verse
Poems by Harley White : 54 / 190
Poet's Notes about The Poem
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Poem Submitted: Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Poem Edited: Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Harley White's Other Poems
Famous Poems
- Still I RiseMaya Angelou
- The Road Not TakenRobert Frost
- If You Forget MePablo Neruda
- DreamsLangston Hughes
- Annabel LeeEdgar Allan Poe
- IfRudyard Kipling
- Stopping By Woods On A Snowy EveningRobert Frost
- Do Not Stand At My Grave And WeepMary Elizabeth Frye
- TelevisionRoald Dahl
- I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love YouPablo Neruda
I so love that you have reminded us of the skies great beauty.
Wonderful to read. (Report)Reply
I'm pleased that you enjoyed the poem! Indeed turning our gaze to the skies can help keep earthly matters in perspective...
What wonderful insightful poem.
I love knowledge.
James (Report)Reply
I also enjoy the learning process and gaining new knowledge. And thank you for the compliment about my poem!
Such a lovely poem, full of sparkling particles and words throughout. Great job, Harley! (Report)Reply
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the poem all the way through! Thank you for the comment!
An exquisite combination of poetic expression and scientific knowledge!
Congratulations! (Report)Reply
That combination can be a challenge to put into a poem, and I'm pleased that you felt it worked! Thanks for expressing your reaction!
Oh how delighted I am to see this as poem of the day! ! I knew it had greatness shouting throughout every stanza and poemhunter is taking note as well as many readers, you are a very special poetess and so refreshingly unique! ! ! Congratulations to you Harley White! ! ! ! ! (Report)Reply
I am always elated to see your comments on my poems! You have been a constant source of encouragement to me on this site, and I am truly grateful for your support! Thank you so much!
I like poems on stars and galaxies. Being a science student it gives me immense pleasure to watch the cosmos in a clear night. Beautiful poem.Thanks for sharing. Congrats. (Report)Reply
Astro-poems are favorite subjects for me. I am an avid stargazer with great awe for the cosmos as well. And thank you!
Sounds like the poetry of a scientist. Great write! (Report)Reply
Thank you! I'm not a scientist, but I enjoy delving into a host of subjects such as astronomy...
Muse of the Universe! ! !
Colours.
Thanks for sharing this poem with us. (Report)Reply
Wow! I hardly know what to say! I am pleased and amazed beyond words!
A free flight of creativity on winged imagination. A beautiful work of art elegantly embellished with poetic rhyme and rhythm. Lovely indeed. Thanks for sharing, Harley. (Report)Reply
What more could I hope for than to reach a reader's sensibilities in this way? Thank you!
That glittering cosmic ball contains
more stars than we can comprehend,
each one encompassing its domains,
seen in multi-hued image blend............./// written beautifully; congrats for being selected this poem as POD (Report)Reply
Such an amazing stellar image cannot fail to inspire awe! I'm pleased that you liked the inspiration I took from it for my poem...
Beautiful, intriguing poem that effectively blends Romanticism with a modern sensibility....a well deserved poem of the day! (Report)Reply
Thank you! I like elaborating on various themes in my poems and I'm glad you enjoyed the mix employed in this one...
Cosmic Jewels has loaded our minds with beyond beyond. I for one am amazed at the journey from Big Bang to now. I have written several poems on this theme. You continue to illuminate our understanding. Thank you.
A poem worthy of being highlighted. (Report)Reply
How wonderful that the poem affected you in that way! From one stargazer to another, thank you!
Perchance in the heavens' vast expanse
unfathomed in immensity,
a pale blue dot round lone star may dance
where mortals have more sense than we.
So well writ this poem of the day. (Report)Reply
I'm pleased that you enjoyed the poem, and I appreciate your comment!
Congratulation...dear poetess... beautiful poem/// (Report)Reply
Thank you!
An amazing poem of the day.
Congrats, dear Ma’am Harley on
your featured piece.....10+++++ (Report)Reply
Thank you very much for your reading and for sharing your reaction!
A colossal, marvelous poem! Congrats for having it selected as poem of the day! (Report)Reply
It is really gratifying to receive such a response! Thank you!
Well now, how many myriad realms might dwell...where creatures out of this world, , are poetically endowed? ..and perceiving the art of a parallel Keats? ...this poem is more than a dream within a dream as another poet wrote, it is imagination within imagination and that is what makes you so special of a poet to me, and with your signature style you force us to look at our lot in life that we here on another blue dot have squandered to our detriment, what a great poem! ! ! (Report)Reply
How marvelous are your careful perusals of my poems! I am very fortunate to have you as a reader of my works. I truly appreciate your confirmation that I am conveying what I wish to express Thank you so much!