In huge encounter underway
the Hubble's chosen to survey
a ‘perfect ten' is on display.
This great galactic happenstance
portrayed by telescopic glance
midst vast expanse of cosmic dance
where left would show the ‘number one'
is for its splendor next to none
in imagery of sights to stun.
The ‘zero ring' set on the right
could be a crown that's taken flight
with jewels sapphirine alight,
some thirty thousand light-years wide
that ring of cosmic regal pride.
The system whole from side to side
one hundred fifteen thousand in
light-years across both kith and kin
of ‘ten', were we to take a spin,
would measure, in galactic reach,
and twenty-one from each to each
if calculating partners' breach.
Appearing nearly edge-on to
our own telluric point of view
with finite sight we might construe
a figure ‘one' from island world
as disk-shaped galaxy unfurled,
beside celestial ring o'er swirled
at left of it, completing ‘ten'
through aid of Hubble's distant ken
extending vision far, amen,
beyond myopic mortal scope
wherewith most humans blindly grope
while looking heavenward for hope
in lieu of deep within, alas,
to source enlightened looking glass
which outward shows what comes to pass
as well, say I with wistful sigh…
Still, gazing at the ceaseless sky
makes wonderment take wing and fly.
The star formation in the ring
is said to be quite staggering,
a grand creative stellar fling.
Four hundred million plus light-years
it lies from earthly dwelling spheres,
where Man is mired in tears and fears
with cheers and laughter now and then
or urges of the poet's pen
abetted by a warbling wren.
Returning to galactic pair
the main ring scientists declare
has nine bright X-ray sources there,
immense in mass, which black holes are,
those spatial oddities bizarre
occurring from collapsing star,
with each from ten to twenty times
the Sun, old Sol, which daily climbs
the firmament till nightfall chimes.
And likewise in the smaller mate
might be another, so they state,
berserk in gravitation fate.
But what are black holes all about?
There's more than ‘meets the eye' no doubt.
Could space be turning inside out?
Such mysteries of cosmic craft
albeit Hubble photographed
could make mere mortal minds go daft.
With Sara Teasdale I agree,
to cite some lines of poetry
that capture starry-eyed esprit.
In lyric verse of ‘Stars', said she,
‘I know I am honored to be
witness of so much majesty.'
A very beautiful poem about Galactic Interplay, .loveliest rendered and you must know, I like very much the poems of sweet Sara Teasdale.5 Stars full for your poem, dear Harley
I'm really glad you enjoyed the poem! And indeed Sara Teasdale's lines seemed to be the perfect ending. Thank you so much, Sylvia!
I'm so pleased! That is one of my major goals in writing poems about the cosmos. Thank you!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
You have an unfathomable love for the galaxy in general and stars in particular. Awesome poem once again. Full *********
I truly enjoy focusing on such a grand perspective. Thank you for your gracious words.