On a Count of the Stars
The stars aren't numberless
though we like to think they are.
The number is very large
and perpetually changes
as old stars fade, explode,
or collapse into something not stars
and new stars ignite
among the dust clouds far off.
And the grains of sand, too, are numbered.
As with stars, the number's very large
and won't sit still as old stones
go to new grains and old grains to new mortar
which is also lime which once was little
creatures in the sea so numerous that,
to a man, had there been a man,
they, too, would surely have seemed numberless.
though we like to think they are.
The number is very large
and perpetually changes
as old stars fade, explode,
or collapse into something not stars
and new stars ignite
among the dust clouds far off.
And the grains of sand, too, are numbered.
As with stars, the number's very large
and won't sit still as old stones
go to new grains and old grains to new mortar
which is also lime which once was little
creatures in the sea so numerous that,
to a man, had there been a man,
they, too, would surely have seemed numberless.
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Other stories by Gary Hardaway
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profound. good stuff!*
"and won't sit still as old stones
go to new grains and old grains to new mortar"
A strong moment. Good piece.
Infinitely beautiful.
Thank you very much, Steve.
Thank you, James. I appreciate your response very much.
Thank you, Sam. I borrowed a bit from Eliot's "old stones to new buildings". I hope he doesn't mind.
Great piece. I will echo James and Steve - profound and infinitely beautiful. *
Thank you, Emily. I am very grateful that you read this and delighted that you enjoyed it.
I do love this poem, and the double-duty pulled by the title. This poems gives me hope for our future. Peace *
Thank you, Linda!