Notes About The Poem

I wrote Cosmic Dust on March 24th of this year.  My intention with this free verse poem was to capture the "oneness" and the "ubiquity" of a trace of cosmic dust as it has made its passage through time and space throughout the Universe.  Ultimately, the cosmic dust is an integral part of the Universe's "great existential family," of which all of us are a part.  (Gary Bateman - August 11, 2014)

Cosmic Dust

Since time immemorial across the Universe—
Traces of my vapor, my dust trails, my footprints, my being
Light up the skies of innumerable planets etching themselves
Indelibly in the consciousness of the stars and making visible
Impressions in the cold continuum of deep dark space.

I’m mere particle matter—in reality, an iota of infinity that
Continues its travel through time and space and all dimensions
Visiting the vast frontiers of the Universe while leaving minute
Traces of my Cosmic DNA.

I’m part of the Universe’s great existential family—
My quest is to travel, to arrive, to be one with everything I touch,
And to savor a continuous divine purpose. 

What unbounding possibilities there are as I traverse the far 
Outreaches of dark space on Flight Paths of Eternity.

And sometimes I’m a part of rainbows that kiss the Face of God.

Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved (March 24, 2014) 
(Free Verse)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Priest Avatar
August 17, 2015 at 5:10 PM
Gary, I am new to this website and found your Cosmic Dust poem. I am looking for some creation poems to share at my church. Does your copyright allow me to share the poem in written form in the church service? Of course you would be noted as the poet.
Bateman Avatar
August 17, 2015 at 5:55 PM
Hello Virginia, It's a pleasure to meet you. Yes, all of my poems in Poetry Soup are copyrighted to include all of them and "Cosmic Dust" which appear in my recently published book "Conversations with My Muse." All you need is my written permission to use my poetry, and with my response here, you have it!! No Problem at all. You might want to consider another poem too that I just released to Poetry Soup on 13 Aug ("A Rainbow's Magic). I also did one other entitled: "Rainbow" posted last year. I have others too you might interested in. Thanks Virginia!! Cheers and Best, Gary
Breidenthal Avatar
January 30, 2015 at 11:27 PM
This gem right here became an instant favorite!! That last line is very intriguing... so much color, so much wonder... I am in awe. I love your writing! Always, Laura
Bateman Avatar
January 31, 2015 at 8:55 AM
Hello Laura, Thanks for reading "Cosmic Dust" -- and for you very kind comments!! I am very pleased that you liked this poem. It was one of my very early posts with PoetrySoup as I was just getting started with the website last August. This cosmic theme reappears in several of my other poems as well. I do enjoy your poetry too very much. You have a distinctive style of writing that is most appealing. In a sense, we all learn from each other as we write, and then read other poets works. Best Always, Gary
Marcum Wong Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 4:53 PM
Gary, I remember reading this wonderful poem and reading it again, it is just as impressive! I am happy it is being featured so that others may enjoy it too. It is going into my fav's if not already in there. Congratulations on it being featured!
Bateman Avatar
December 1, 2014 at 3:30 AM
Connie, Thanks so much for the second look and second read. All of these poems we write and post do build up after a while. My wife really likes this particular poem too. Subjects like this are both wonderful and timeless. I'm glad you enjoyed "Cosmic Dust" again!! Best Wishes Always, Gary
Mcdaid Avatar
October 20, 2014 at 11:11 AM
how i love how you drew this piece gary very beautifully crafted dear friend
Bateman Avatar
October 21, 2014 at 2:16 PM
My wife loves this one much Liam. Glad you liked it too Mate!! Cheers, Gary
Karpinske Avatar
September 11, 2014 at 11:27 AM
I think we all wish we made a difference in this life, hoping when we leave this place for the next, our lives were not for nothing.
Bateman Avatar
September 12, 2014 at 7:43 AM
Melisa, I think it rather succinctly summed our human dilemma as living spirits on this Earth. I do think though that there are some people the can make a difference. It's always about the legacy later to ensure the good works carry on. We poets perform some of this by being the Conscience of Mankind. Best, Gary
Sheaffer Avatar
September 1, 2014 at 8:46 AM
Such a beautiful poem. It communicates the vastness of space and our involvement in it. Lovely to read. Many thanks.
Bateman Avatar
September 1, 2014 at 3:05 PM
Elisabeth . . . Thanks for your nice comment!! I am glad you liked it. I need to do more of these in the future. I am currently experimenting with multiple themes cutting across several major subject areas. I will check out your works as well!! Best Wishes, Gary
Sergi Avatar
August 22, 2014 at 8:49 AM
Hi Gary: A beautiful poem done very articulately and I especially loved the last line. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Bateman Avatar
August 22, 2014 at 11:22 AM
Hello Ralph, Appreciate your comments. The last line is the attention-getter. Look forward to reading your poems as well. Best Wishes, Gary
Kelley Avatar
August 22, 2014 at 6:58 AM
Well done. I love it. Thanks for sharing.
Bateman Avatar
August 22, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Deborah, Thanks!!, and thanks for taking the time to read it. Look forward to reading your works as well. Cheers, Gary
Silvester Avatar
August 21, 2014 at 9:55 PM
I really like your poem... no, I mean I really love your poem. I often write about similar concepts, recognising the vastness between here and there - realising the texture of nothing. So you've inspired me to contribute a poem along these lines. Thank you for sharing 'Cosmic Dust'.
Bateman Avatar
September 1, 2014 at 2:55 PM
Julie . . . You are so kind!! I am pleased to hear that I inspired you in my own small way to do something similar. I too will probably revisit a similar-like theme again in the future. The Cosmos is almost indescribable because of its "infinite" vastness. To think, we're only scratching the surface!! All the Best. Cheers, Gary
Belle Avatar
August 21, 2014 at 6:28 PM
A rare kind of poem. Thank you for sharing this, Gary.
Bateman Avatar
August 22, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Hello Arabelle, Thanks for taking the time to read "Cosmic Dust." I'm glad you liked it. I will check out your poems too. I have more poetry on the way. Best Wishes, Gary
Horn Avatar
August 21, 2014 at 4:56 AM
Mine are under name of jthorn5656 under password of soldierboy all in small letters and one word. You are welcome to comment on them anytime. Guess you could say my new fetish is the death of Robin Williams. I have written several regarding him. One of them turned out to be poem of the day which I never thought about when writing the poem. Noticed Gene Bourne of Bourne Supremacy. Awesome. I an 73, married 48 years and a retired veteran myself. Jim Horn
Bateman Avatar
August 21, 2014 at 5:16 PM
Jim, Thanks for your note and information. Robin Williams was a great loss for all who enjoyed and loved his humor. I'm in touch now with Gene Bourne as well. I have found very good interaction with fellow writers since joining PoetrySoup recently. I'm soon to turn "63" and am both retired Army and also recently retired civil service. Cheers, Gary
Horn Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 7:31 PM
After having gone from shore to shore, I went to where no man has gone before, And what I wanted you to know, Is to start watching the Star Trek show. Jim Horn My family originated in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the 15h century so I have been told. We visited the town. It is quite a place as well as being a tourist trap.
Bateman Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 9:20 PM
James, Very nice hearing from you. I like Star Trek too. I have also been to Rothenburg ob der Tauber -- a very beautiful city. I lived for over a decade in Stuttgart before retiring from the U.S. Government last year. My wife is German and we live now near Braunschweig, one hour's drive from the Harz. Look forward to reading your poems!! Best Regards, Gary
Tate Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 7:04 PM
Great poem taking us on a space trip.
Bateman Avatar
August 21, 2014 at 4:38 PM
Hello James . . . Same same on my end. I think my creative mind is still out there in the cosmos!! Look forward to seeing your poems too. Thanks for your comment!! Best Wishes, Gary
Bateman Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 9:15 PM
James, Thanks for your comment. I liked putting this space trip together with my word picture. Look forward to reading your works too!! Best Wishes, Gary
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 6:54 PM
Wow, a true kindred spirit you are Gary. Nice to meet you. I enjoyed your poem and know we are Star Dust. I love how you convey we are all family in this fine original poem you have created. Your last line is a stunner!
Bateman Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 9:02 PM
Hello Connie . . . Very nice to meet you too. With your comments, you've taken my very words out of my mouth. My wife actually noted the same thing -- and she too was enchanted with the notion that the Cosmic Dust as part of rainbows kisses the face of God. I look forward to reading your works too!! Cheers, Gary
Bop Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 2:47 PM
Indeed, star dust/cosmos connects us all. Every star, every planet, every human, and earthling thing. A similar nugget is recited in "Alien Truth" Thank you for sharing. I love it. Cosmic DNA
Bateman Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 5:24 PM
BOP, Thanks for your descriptive note here, and for reading "Cosmic Dust." Cosmic DNA is what it is all about. Cheers and Best Wishes, Gary
Brooks Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 11:12 AM
Gary , I read your poem Cosmic Dust this morning and was moved by the depth of your thoughts. Thank you for sharing words. Regards, John Brooks
Bateman Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 1:12 PM
John, Thanks so much for your comments. I really enjoyed putting this particular poem together. I look forward to reading your poems as well. Cheers, Gary.
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