Sandra Haight Poet Sestina

Notes About The Poem

Date Entered- February 24, 2026
In The Contest- "Your Favorite Poetry"
Sponsor- Seth Pina

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Sestina: A highly structured form of poetry consisting of six six-line stanzas and ending with a three-line half-stanza (thirty-nine lines). The end words of the first stanza are repeated in strict order as the end words in the other stanzas.

The concluding half-stanza uses the same six words; 1,3 and 5 in the centers of each line, and 2, 4, and 6, at the ends.

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The Stars and Beyond

As we speculate the clear evening sky
Iridescent with gems, which we call stars,
Alive in our hearts stir the endless dream
To unwind and solve the puzzles of Earth-
The unfathomed vastness of cosmic space.
Since time began, this has been our great wish.

Because of this strong and enduring wish
Our minds are forever drawn to the sky, 
Where in the blankness of great timeless space
Drift all the planets, our Sun, Moon, and stars.
And amidst it all, our minuscule Earth-
Seems lost in this cloudy, galactic dream.

But humans will always anxiously dream
Of someday achieving this inborn wish;
Discovering answers about the Earth;
Exploring the unknown realms of the sky
To find our way among planets and stars,
Erasing boundaries of time and space.

What truths does it hold, this infinite space?
Will answers always be- vague as a dream?
Do other planets with suns as our stars
Have beings like earthlings who hope and wish?
Do they gaze at their vast eternal sky;
Know of our galaxy, Sun, Moon, and Earth?

Though we're secure on this great mammoth Earth,
When we contemplate the vastness of space,
We know we are only dust in the sky
And our importance dissolves like a dream,
For matter not how we wonder and wish
We are naught amid the planets and stars.

Gems on black velvet, our heaven of stars;
So close they all seem to mortals of Earth;
So often we stare at them- make a wish-
Yet billions of light-years measure the space
In between. When will we wake from our dream?
Solve all the puzzles that darken our sky?

Twinkle on, great sky, with your rhinestone stars-
Continue, sweet dream, for beings of Earth!
Eternal as space, is our hope and wish!

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Vanya Evangeline March 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM Hey, this is actually one of the first poems I came across on PoetrySoup (long before I actually became a member) while looking into the Sestina form, and I think it was one of the poems that inspired me to seriously start polishing my craft. So... I thank you for this, Sandra. Truly.

Ink Empress February 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM I always love and feel a poem with questions, and youv done that well giving an evocative touch while also painting imagery in such a creative and poetic manner dear sandra! Congratulations on your win! Pleasure reading this gem! Sending you light always

Susan Ashley February 5, 2025 at 12:16 PM Dear Sandra, congratulations for your success in Tom's contest with your thought-provoking poem. Beautiful, intricate and fascinating. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Silent One December 6, 2023 at 6:40 AM This form takes a while to write and it is a wonderful choice for the contest.. Congratulations on having your poem showcased.. Sandra Haight December 7, 2023 at 5:14 PM Thank you again, Silent One! I loved working on it- a real challenge. I appreciate being on your winner's list. Sandra

Linda Alice Fowler January 17, 2021 at 8:26 AM Our minds are forever drawn to the sky - amazing Sandra. Congratulations on the win! Linda

Unseeking Seeker January 17, 2021 at 4:39 AM Thank you for participating in the contest. Congratulations on your placement!

Line Gauthier May 15, 2020 at 8:52 PM Lovely imagery, Sandra. Well penned.

Connie Marcum Wong May 8, 2020 at 4:25 PM Wow Sandra, this magnificent sestina is so impressive! Congratulations on all your wins that are so deserving. I am so happy to be led here from your latest contest poem. It takes great talent to write in this form and you have that in spades my dear! A Fave! xxoo

L. J. Carber June 7, 2019 at 9:10 AM Lovely Sandra-- congrats on your win. Sandra Haight June 11, 2019 at 3:51 PM Thank you so much, L.J.! Sandra

Line Gauthier June 5, 2019 at 1:12 PM Congrats on your win, Sandra. Beautifully crafted. Sandra Haight June 11, 2019 at 3:51 PM Thank you so much, Line. I appreciate your visit, congrats, and positive comment. Hugs, Sandra

Agnes Krampe October 13, 2017 at 8:48 AM Congrats on your win, Sandra. I don't think I've ever seen a Sestina - what an intricate pattern! Beautifully done! Sandra Haight October 13, 2017 at 3:47 PM Thank you, Agnes. Yes, it follows a strict pattern using iambic pentameter. I am pleased that you enjoyed it. Hugs, Sandra

Gregory Richard Barden October 13, 2017 at 5:23 AM Gorgeous write, Sandra, and full of lovely phrasing - love this! Congrats! :-) <3 Sandra Haight October 13, 2017 at 3:47 PM Thank you so much, Gregory, for the nice comment and congratulations. Sandra

Subimal Sinha-Roy October 12, 2017 at 10:01 PM Congratulations, Sandra on your fine win. Sandra Haight October 13, 2017 at 3:48 PM Thank you very much, Subimal! Sandra

Thvia Shetley October 12, 2017 at 9:46 PM What a wonderful Sestina you have penned. Thank you for entering it in my contest and congrats on your placement! Sandra Haight October 13, 2017 at 3:49 PM Thank you very much, Thvia, for your congratulations on supportive comment. Sandra

John Hamilton July 15, 2017 at 3:38 PM Well done Sandra, I always marvel at your skill, this is a classic write for the ages. Congrats on another win!

Gregory Richard Barden July 15, 2017 at 7:18 AM There were SO many that I wanted to include in the top ten, but I HAD to go with this one, as it's such a dear subject matter to me, and was so wonderfully-crafted! You are such a talented writer, Sandra, and give such sublime honor to the Universe here. Something dear to me, but also requiring deft writing and phrasing as you have very well displayed. Congrats on TENTH PLACE, and thank you for entering my contest! :-)

Bl Devnath May 6, 2016 at 11:12 AM A great congratulation my lovely friend, bl

Terry O'Leary May 5, 2016 at 6:21 AM An intricate weave... well done! The universe!!! Where our imaginations have no limits... Congratulatios on your win!!

Casarah Nance May 4, 2016 at 9:12 PM Sandra, you bring science and poetry in a vivid blend. A fascinating subject that has been on my mind as of late, and a very well done structure, this poem is a great example of your talent and I am pleased you have picked it as your pride and joy for my contest. Thanks for writing, you're out of this world :) Sandra Haight May 4, 2016 at 9:39 PM Dear Casarah, thank you so much for your uplifting and supportive comment about my poem, and for the honor of the fine placement on your winner's list. I appreciate it so much! Thank you again. Hugs, Sandra

Steven Henderson February 2, 2016 at 12:25 PM A well deserved first place finish! Peace and blessings to you and yours. Sandra Haight February 3, 2016 at 1:14 PM Thank you so much, Steven. So nice of your to visit my poem and leave your uplifting comment, peace and blessing. Back to you likewise! Sandra

Pandita Sietesantos December 29, 2015 at 8:21 PM Swinging back to say - Congratulations, my friend for your top of the podium great win! Pandita Sandra Haight February 3, 2016 at 1:11 PM Thank you so much, Pandita. So nice of you to visit with your uplifting comment. Much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra

Poet Destroyer A December 28, 2015 at 11:12 PM well done. LINDA Sandra Haight December 29, 2015 at 5:22 PM Thank you so much, Linda. I appreciate your visits and supportive comments. Hugs, Sandra

Skat A December 28, 2015 at 10:27 PM Congrats on your Star People poem win Sandra Haight December 29, 2015 at 5:22 PM Hi Skat, thank you for your visit and congrats. It is much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra

Dr. Upma A. Sharma December 28, 2015 at 1:04 AM Awesome poetry Sandra.. congrats on a much deserved first place win!

Mark Woods December 27, 2015 at 11:41 PM A stunning poem. Wonderful connectivity throughout, not just because of the form but also the thoughts expressed. The fifth stanza really appeals to me. Congrats on a very well deserved first place win!

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