STARSTRUCK!

Starstruck!

In ancient times, the stars, in all their glory Were visible for everyone to see.

Each Constellation told a different story Of gods and heroes, and things yet to be.

Orion, with his belt of triple light, With brilliant Rigel shining even more, And Betelgeuse, that red giant star so bright, Inspired so many myths in days of yore.

Hercules, strong hero, dragon slayer, Appears with gentle Lyra seen close by, While overhead, the Plough and Ursa Major Point out the pole star in the dark night sky.

But, long before our planet world was formed, The ancient stars gave forth their mighty glow, From hydrogen and helium were fused The elements of life that we now know.

When massive stars collapse, through gravitation, The heat and pressure then becomes extreme As fusion leads to further transmutation, Super novae explode in violent stream.

Those new born atoms travel on through space, To form new stars and planets like our own.

Of stardust we are made, the Earth our place; Have we forgotten truths that were once known?

For now, the city lights have dimmed the stars, Their ruddy glare obscures the heaven’s wonder, While heavy trucks and buses, vans and cars Pollute our air and even drown the thunder.

But, go some night, to hill or open plain, Where dark skies reign, away from clubs and bars.

Look up above and marvel at the scene.

Our history is written in the stars.

Margaret Franklin Poetry Day 2022