In a distant region of outer space
millions of light-years from where we dwell
midst what was considered a quiet place
a ‘monstrous' galaxy casts a spell.
Seibert and Hagen surveying the skies
that behemoth uncovered afar
which took all the stargazers by surprise
with its features galactic bizarre.
The team was looking for run-of-the-mill
stellar growth in elliptical kinds.
Yet the shape that emerged produced a thrill
that blew their astronomical minds.
There were spiral arms out of it reaching
unlike what usual types should show.
What on earth was this galaxy teaching
about how systems of stars could grow?
But most astonishing was that the core
in contrast to the rings of a tree
sidereally had not formed before
the outer disk in its ancestry.
So compared to others normally found
the components appeared inside-out,
its survival due to the calm around
with young and old portions turned about.
UGC one three eight two seemed crafted
from various cosmic bits and parts
in strange design hitherto undrafted
with elements joined in fits and starts.
The fanciful nickname it's been given
was from a gothic novel borrowed
in which a scientist madly driven
tried to make man, then later sorrowed.
From matter inanimate into life
Victor Frankenstein fashioned his fiend.
Thereby Mary Shelley, the poet's wife,
in nature's begetting intervened,
altering normal means of causation,
much like the galaxy here observed,
through the plot of her renowned creation,
both panned and hailed with praise unreserved.
Speaking of those lesser-known feminine
to illustrious men related,
younger sister of William, Caroline,
Herschel ought to be celebrated
plus equally in the schoolbooks acclaimed
for sky-watching contributions great
albeit her brother is far more famed.
Such throughout time has been women's fate.
Mary Shelley, not only Percy's spouse
who stuck by him despite his affairs
to share in his bed, his work, and his house,
wrote with brilliance, while laden with cares.
That namesake galactic which holds mystique
resulted from entities labeled
for a humanoid whose cast was unique
and indeed in the arts is fabled.
We're humans all, though a lady must shine
in machismo environs to boot
oftentimes, so to call it Frankenstein
is to Mary as well a salute.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
a good classical poem, but I bet it was not written for a bet? unlike Mary's.
Thank you for your comment, and no, it was not composed for a 'competition', as in the case of Mary's, The name of the galaxy and its components were so intriguing that I couldn't resist writing about it.