“Poetry can break open locked chambers of possibility…”
Adrienne Rich
On the eve of a new year, one that already has too many expectations heaped upon it, I look to the stars, where limitless possibilities dwell…
timeless starlight
illuminates winter nights
with ancient stories
© Catherine Flynn, 2017
I was unsure about the final line of my haiku and undecided about sharing a post today, but after I stumbled upon this treasure from Maria Papova at Brain Pickings, my indecision was gone. I hope you enjoy this poetic celebration of “great scientists and scientific discoveries, and a protest against the silencing of science and the defunding of the arts.”
Here is one of my favorites from a stellar line up of poets.
WE ARE LISTENING
by Diane Ackerman
I.
As our metal eyes wake
to absolute night,
where whispers fly
from the beginning of time,
we cup our ears to the heavens.
We are listening
on the volcanic lips of Flagstaff
and in the fields beyond Boston
in a great array that blooms
like coral from the desert floor,
on highwire webs patrolled
by computer spiders in Puerto Rico.
We are listening for a sound
beyond us, beyond sound,
searching for a lighthouse
in the breakwaters of our uncertainty,
an electronic murmur
a bright, fragile I am.
Read the rest of the poem here.
Here’s to a New Year full of possibility. Please be sure to visit Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe for the Poetry Friday Roundup.
Reading to the Core 
Your attention to nature during this mont of haiku has inspired me to do the same.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much light and treasure. What a beautiful way to start a morning, and head toward a new year. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the immensity of your haiku, Catherine. So much captured in so few words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s just something so comforting about looking up at the stars and realising that the universe that we are a part of has been around longer than we can imagine, and will continue to exist long after we are gone. We are a part of a great chain of existence that links past, present and future. Oh dear, I seem to be waxing poetic myself a bit, that’s how much you’ve inspired me! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a treasury of metal words and resolute spine. We are “small bipeds/ with the giant dreams” indeed. Thanks for sharing this. And I like your last line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a celebration of poetry and science (which have so much more in common than people realize). It reminds me of a NYT article I read about a scientist who rediscovered passion for science by writing and sharing science haiku. I’m glad you shared yours today–and all month on twitter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for these illuminations!
LikeLike
“As science continues to pour bucketfuls of light into the dark corners of our world.” What an awesome poet and wonderful reading. Thank you so much for the words and the experience. I’m so glad that science and poetry are as seamless as they are. There really shouldn’t be any differentiation between the two.
Ancient stories is a crisp last line to timeless starlight. Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely. Those “ancient stories” are hard to wrap your head around, aren’t they? If stars could only talk…or do they? Happy New Year, Catherine. I always look forward to your haiku!
LikeLike
Diane Ackerman’s poem…wow. Thank you for the gift of The Universe In Verse. I’ve saved this post for a time when I can properly savor all of it.
LikeLike
Wow wow wow–so much to discover here, both in the single poem of Diane Ackerman and in the video program. (In fact maybe too much–I clicked through to BrainPicking’s “7 Loveliest Children’s Books” post and found that Maria specializes in overthinking. Made me feel positively zen.) I love your haiku and its last line–so primally true.
Wishing you a gorgeous and productive 2018, Catherine, and looking forward to more of your thoughtful uncertainty and willingness to persist in the service of just the right word!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ‘snow’ falling makes your night picture full of falling stars! Love that “timeless starlight” and Ackerman is a favorite writer, though I don’t know her poetry. It’s beautiful, too. Thanks for the Popova link. Time to step up for science!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well serendipity stepped right into the small universe of Poetry Friday–as Diane shared a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and Maria Popova in the video, mentions Rachel Carson quoting Wilcox, “to sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men.” Thanks for sharing this amazing video, the Ackerman poem and your beautiful and provocative “ancient story” haiku!
Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The stars are a true guiding light of hope for our future! Look to the full moon on the first day of this year as well, Catherine. It will illuminate the night with new possibilities!
LikeLike
We cannot move forward without respecting and understanding those ancient stories…thanks for sharing these, Catherine!
LikeLike
Your haiku reminds me of hearing Beowulf performed in its original Old English. I had that sense of people gathering at night to share a good story beneath the stars.
LikeLiked by 1 person