ASTRONOMER’S SONNET, Jess Sevetson

Before the learn’d astronomer pursued his love of stars He was just a lonesome child sneaking out onto his roof, Conversing with Polaris, smiling tenderly at Mars-- He did not dream (back then) of charts, or diagrams, or proofs.

He spent long years in study, many lonely nights inside In lecture-rooms, or libraries with artificial lights, Devoted to unlocking all the secrets of the skies That cannot be revealed in just one perfect, silent night.

When came the time for him to give his final presentation His perseverance shone in his exacting calculations-- So colleagues came from far and wide to sit in captivation And listen to this lecturer who spoke with such elation, The man who never wavered in his love of constellations, All smiling down upon him in a twinkling ovation.

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