somebody sent me

as if by chance

but not

an image

from a distant galaxy

swirling blue and indigo

white and pink

its beauty of formation

far beyond

a human hand

despite ourselves

restricted as we are

by intellect, pride and lifespan

it cast me back to childhood

and many deep dark

winter nights

watching for shooting stars

longing to be somewhere in Orion

or up amidst the Seven Sisters

seeking the Garnet Star

it cast my mind forward

to what might lie ahead

for ageing star-gazers like me

now

as I hold onto

the two elder trees intertwined as lovers

on a crisp deep dark

November night

I care not

I simply give thanks

for being still able

to see

to think

to love

and wonder

at the magical

madness and wonder

of it all