Stars drew our eyes until we saw patterns palpable to all.
Stars so far as we could see until we
learned to see farther.
Universes! They, too, took form and
pattern, so far as we could see.
Now the cosmos awaits our puny wit to
find plurality so far as we can see.
So near can we see, we split neutron
from proton with a mighty flash and bang
To announce, We Master!, with
lots of people killed and stuff blown up,
Then we looked again and, so near as we
can see, there's finer yet to see.
Some claim, so near can they see, the
scale changes yet again. Many times.
Look near or far the pattern repeats: A
fractal universe with no ends.
The creation ever iterates; we part of
it and it all of us.
The old man hums a tune into his brass
spittoon
Cocks an eye at the old moon and allows
a point or two for the metaphor.
But shakes his head at my hopes of
passing. Too, too many missed chances,
too few noble deeds, so little simple
honesty, so near and far as he has seen.
--ml
