The Comet Ison

Trailing through vast space,

It is a bright, benign smudge on my screen,

Whose true size, speed, chemical architecture

Are the subject of study by scientists

Of varying age and competence.

The Comet Ison is precisely the size of seven houses--

Seven houses of bright light loosely bound

By bands of light,

Trailing kilometers of white light.

It is made up of crystals

Which catch and give back

Images of itself.

The Comet Ison moves through vast space

Executing its mating dance

With our own beloved star. 

I fear that our star’s marvelous power

Will consume Comet Ison, and

Without losing, without wasting a single crystal,

Will banish the benign smudge from my screen.

--November 28, 2013