Notes About The Poem

(No AI, ChatGPT, machine learning (ML), etc., was used in the composition of this poem.)

Admiring Heavenly Bodies

Sensing the amazing night sky
Always gets me pondering why.
Each part of our solar system;
Taking stock so I don’t miss them.
Planets such as Venus and Mars
Appear larger than background stars.
With telescope, I more attune
To Jupiter’s many a moon.

I note the absence of moon on Earth;
Its presence yields stargazing dearth.
Sometimes on a very clear night,
I spot a man-made satellite,
Or a comet or shooting star;
In relative terms, not that far.
I, by the zoom telescope brings,
See Saturn and its frozen rings.

Beyond sun, moon, and planets nine,
To take in more wonders, I pine.
To see stars in their locations;
Part of galactic formations.
Constellations—people did try
To find pictures in the night sky.
Like Orion the Hunter’s bow,
Or Southern Cross in latitudes low.

Outer stars of Big Dipper’s bowl,
Merak and Dubhe play a role;
Point to Polaris, the north star,
On Little Dipper’s handle far.
Little Dipper—part of Small Bear;
Great Bear—Big Dipper is a share.
Cassiopeia’s W,
Its five stars are easy to view.

Galaxies made of many stars,
Like the Milky Way, which is ours.
Million-plus galaxies to see,
Andromeda and LMC,
Whirlpool, Tadpole, more it is said,
Like NGC Thirteen Hundred [1300];
Cigar, Pinwheel, Sombrero, too;
More listed in Galaxy Zoo.

Individual stars appear
Though from us many a light-year.
Sirius, with “Dog Star” nickname,
Brightest star in sky is its fame.
Alpha Centauri—three stars tight,
In night sky is the third most bright.
Red supergiant Betelgeuse,
Celestial star version of Zeus?

Other heavenly bodies’ roles,
Include nebula clouds, black holes.
Though white dwarf stars are near their end,
Heat energy they still expend.
Much unknown about universe;
Big Bang’s energy does disperse?
Novas, pulsars, neutron stars, and more;
There’s still a lot left to explore.

For as long as man’s been around,
He has gazed upward from the ground.
To behold that beyond his home,
Pushed by innate desire to roam?
Traveling space for 60 years,
In man’s thoughts, and at times, his fears.
On each clear night, some stop and stare,
To learn more about what’s out there.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Dietrich Avatar
May 19, 2026 at 7:45 AM
This shows your great love of astronomy and watching those night skies. Very informative, my friend
Williams Avatar
May 24, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Thank you so much, Andrea, and you're right - I do love astronomy and tried to pass that on to my family, as well. Thank you so much for stopping by and brightening my day with your positive message, my friend! Blessings, BW
Etgen-Baker Avatar
April 7, 2026 at 5:47 AM
a truly captivating and informative read. I enjoy sitting in our backyard and gazing at the stars...I feel small but large at the same time.
Williams Avatar
April 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Thank you very much, Sara, for your very kind and gracious words! I truly appreciate them. I will do my best to read some of your poetry again soon. Blessings and very best! :) Bartholomew
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace