Galactic Rose Poem by Harley White

Here is a rose that goes by the name
of interacting galactic pair
Arp two seven three, of Hubble fame,
given to us its beauty to share.

Signs of in situ star formation
show in the smaller edge-on comrade
in its bright core, whereas creation
for the larger one in the dyad

occurs in its outer spiral arms
where azure clusters of young stars shine.
Together they frame the floral charms
of a celestial posy design.

As the lower passed through that above
it's thought, ‘twas made the distorted shape,
from tidal pulls, so to craft thereof
a stellar bloom leaving us agape.

The debut of that stunning spiral
blue-jeweled perianth swirl and stem
caused a stir, quickly going viral
as anniversary image gem

for the twenty-first year Hubble gift—
another out of this world delight.
Seeing the flower in space adrift
is quite a rare and enchanting sight—

that one could even call nonpareil—
viewed through telescope gaze which saw some
stelliferous forms in aquarelle
linked to portray a blossom awesome.

A rose grows on land, we know, so who
would think astronomers could descry
amidst galactic tohubohu
that cherished flower high in the sky? !