for Turner Buie
This tidal flow appears some magic wand
consumed in its own glowing violet
crust encased in heaven’s jeweled island
clusters of Ursa Major. Rivulets
of light surround it, a subtle, seething
pulse radiating vision of a disk
quivering, or electric eel breathing.
Were we gazing through microscope, I’d risk
saying protist, malaria perhaps.
But this Ritchey-Chretien view confirms
a shivering wave torn apart—mishap
of gravity—from small galaxies termed
spirals. Ah! Now slow arcing to these stars:
Cratos unsheathes his searing scimitar.
Roger Armbrust
February 11, 2008
