If I were a galaxy in outer space
and wanted to find my reflection,
a mirror I'd seek so to peek at my face
while engaging in introspection.
Suppose I was millions of light-years away
in a constellation called Maiden
or Virgo, to use its correct sobriquet,
with a twin doppelgänger laden.
Might I query, ‘Oh mirror high in the sky,
midst linked arms and blueish trail flowing,
do you think my double is fairer than I?
What image is that you are showing?
‘Is it beauty you see gazing back at me,
mythopoeic in pondering mood? '—
Notwithstanding what seems to be harmony,
something's wrong with that calm attitude.
The peaceable aspect is masking a stage
of an astronomic collision
that began in an erstwhile earlier age
and will cause extensive revision.
In infrared, NGC five three three one
is a hundred billion times brighter,
it's said, than the luminousness of the Sun,
(hard to grasp for a starlit writer) .
A mirror speaks not, unless it is magic,
plus envisioning likenesses flipped.
What will that merger be, placid or tragic
in the redrafted galactic script?
The picture of two spirals interacting,
during a junction's coming to pass,
reveals the duo each other impacting,
thus to resemble a looking glass.
In the sequel by Carroll to Wonderland,
Alice climbs through to the other side
of the mirror, where she meets with peril and
Tweedledum and Tweedledee abide.
Yet our surroundings behave as reflector
much like the Moon with the tidal ebb.
Hence is futurity glimpsed as a specter
hither and thither weaving its web…
Humans cast shadows in all causal matters
touching on Nature's balance on Earth
fragilely wrought as a mirror that shatters.
Oh may we waken to life's true worth!
I came across one of Bill's comments on your work, which led me here. This is, indeed, a finely tuned and skillfully honed work of writing which is a delight and pleasure to read. I look forward to rummaging through more of your pieces. Bravo, good poet!
Thank you very much for your words of praise and encouragement! I’m pleased that you discovered my poetry and I appreciate your reading and comments!
The Cheshire cat looks through a black hole at this poem with amazement, beyond the event horizon a reflection cannot return an answer, wow! ! Your poem is both intellectual and masterfully crafted! ! Well done! ! !
Your astute and enthusiastic remarks are truly gratifying to me! I am so pleased that you realized the amount of work that went into writing and researching the topics. Such appreciation makes it really feel worthwhile! Thank you, Bill Cantrell!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
A stellar ending to this galactic write! Artfully created interplanetary and philosophical musings orbit around each magnificent line. A wonderful read and I will be (exploring) more of your work!