“Stars”

by Robert Hayden

            I

Stood there then among

Spears and kindled shields,

praising Orion

 

 

            II

Betelgeuse Aldebaran

 

Abstract as future yesterdays

The starlight

Crosses eons of meta-space

To us.

 

Algol Arcturus Almak

 

How shall the mind keep warm

Save at spectral

Fires-how thrive but by the light

Of paradox?

 

Altair Vega Polaris Maias

 

 

            III

(Sojourner Truth)

 

comes walking barefoot

out of slavery

 

ancestress

childless mother

 

following the stars

her mind a star

 

 

            IV

Pulsars, blue receding

Quasars—their vibrant

Radio waves.

Cosmic Ouija,

What is the

Mathematics of your message?

 

 

            V

(The Nine-Pointed Star)

 

Stable stars, variable stars-

Hydrogen-into-helium

Fusions, radiations, spectral fires.

 

And the Nine-Pointed Star,

Sun star in the constellation

Of the nuclear Will;

 

Fixed star whose radiance

Filtering down to us lights mind and

Spirit, signals future light.