We only call it
by this lofty appellation
to assuage our sense
of being utterly,
terminally alone
so it seems this utter
distance of gas and elements
slashed white across
deep space
accentuated
by flares and
splashes of pulsing color
looks back at us,
returns our fervent gaze,
provides a reservoir
of hope however shallow,
at least, we can say,
these bodies
of bright water exist
vast distances away,
unreachable until some
future time.
