This gigantic star I magnify through
ESO’s telescope seems a frosted
tangerine flashbulb igniting. Gas flue
at its base feeds that White Dwarf’s disk—rust red,
bright as creation, warped glow recalling
the eye of God. Its trembling mass ignites.
Flamed gases flower, swirled clouds unveiling
a vast, orange-white carnation of light
greater than our sun. Ah, please say hello
to the supernova, heaven’s brilliant
young artist, its expanding inferno
near-perfect foil for black holes’ indignant
desire to devour stars. Can it be so?
This passionate fire blazed light years ago?
Roger Armbrust
July 14, 2007
