It is a mighty inferno
aglow in the night, on the shoulder
of the hunter
and it boils like a cauldron
red fire in black coal
It has shed essence
into a growling cloud
and yet it swells and bulges
sends seething rings into the ether.
Here we give it a name
and the purposes of legends
but in the world of stars
we see a fearsome giant
a rebellion against time
a celebration of celestial power
Soliloquy in a solar voice
becomes a lion's roar:
remember me, and my red-fire shadow
streaming into patient emptiness
my light spilled, a wanton gravity,
poured into the only love
a star can know.
Author notes
Artist impression of Betelgeuse- credit to: ESO [European Organisation for Astronomical
Research in the Southern Hemisphere]
Betelgeuse is a super Red Giant star, one of the brightest in the sky visible from earth.
It is the orange to red colored star in the constellation Orion [ which is known by other names in other cultures - Osiris to ancient the Egyptian culture] the Hunter. It is second to Rigel as the brightest star in Orion.
It is red because it has reached a late stage in its life, It is swollen, incredibly large, and recent findings suggest it is unstable in the sense that bulbs of gas as big as the star itself seem to rise and the appearance would be something completely unlike our sun, it would essentially pulse in huge globs of fire.
Here are some links for the curious minds:
http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2009/pr-27-09.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betelgeuse
In a list
A contest entry
- Swell by CarolDesjarlais.
1400 points, ended August 25, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 28 of 28
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Wonderful imagery. This is the perfect gem to adorn the shoulder of a mighty hunter who makes his presence in the northern winter sky. One of my favorite constellations. Some very interesting links here too my friend.
It is easy to see why this piece shimmers with a gold trophy. Well done. Congratulations. ~Pamela
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I agree with Ameria, this piece is very captivating and the picture you added as well as your imagery was an amazing touch. Wonderful job.
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Its like seeing an old friend, suddenly in a whole new way...thanks for all...PK
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Captivating! I love it when the poem has more imagery than the picture provided. This poem simply sucks the reader into it.
Love,
Amera
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Thank you Amera-
I think everything we can imagine exists somewhere in space, all of our science fiction becomes science when we look long enough...thanks for all...PK
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Oh MY! I always thought that red looking star was the planet Mars! I have so misinformed my two oldest grandsons. LOL I point that very star out to them all the time. I am a star gazer and look for Orion to show up any day now as chilly as it is getting to be. It's not wonder you won Gold dear friend. This poem is fiery and very informative. I love the descriptive wording and just everything. I am excited to finally know the truth. Yes! I love to learn and learn I have. Now, I have to re-teach my grandsons. LOL I'll have ot write the real name; "Betelgeuse" down somewhere so I won't forget when I tell the boys. CRS!
BRAVO!
Always ♥
Renee
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Thank you Renee-
Your boys are lucky to have someone who checks on things and brings the right stuff...Thanks for all ...PK
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Amazing poem. I am transfixed by the night sky. Congrats on the well deserved Gold.
Mariana
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Thank you Mariana-
Betelgeuse, yes
I too find it all so amazing...thanks for all..PK
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Interesting.....
A very powerful piece, with a slow, soft, barely detectable under current flowing throughout. Very imaginative with bits of metaphor.
Well done.
Sincerely,
~ ~ Janet ~ ~
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How did I miss this??? Wow. What a great ending to a fantastic piece, no wonder this won gold. Brilliant PK. hugs
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You know it's refreshing to read more poetry bout the Heavens
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this is very, very lovely. Betelgeuse is my favorite star, and it was pleasing to read a poem of quality about it.
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Congrats on your award for this, PK. It truly was a stunning write. I will read it again and again.
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A wonderful poem and a fascinating astromony lesson at the same time. I read it once and was enchanted by the descriptive imagery. Then, after reading the AN, I read it again and appreciated it even more. You personalized this mighty star and made its potential demise an event to be mourned. Congratulations on your gold trophy. It is always a pleasure to read your poetry. Peace, Liz
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Oh, I love this. I have been reading "The Orphan's Tales: In The Night Garden", Valente, and I have a whole new thought about stars. Beautifully written, lovely language.
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You gave a 'face' to that star...
Your stellar poems are written with a special beauty and passion. Always with warm and exquisite sights, but couldn't be any different knowing that Orion is your favourite constellation.
This is gorgeous H
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Thank you Mari-
Yes my favorite, and when I saw the new ideas on the true face, it was fascinating. I usually look at nebula...where new stars are born...but this is the opposite, a dying star, old and red...like a volcano in space...there i go again- Thank you for your lovely comments...h
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No one paints the passion of the stars like you. You have captured the raging intensity of this heavenly body with such vivid, imploring phrases. The boiling, bulging and seething is so wild and rampant, and yet you allude briefly to the star's diminishing (I think) as well as its effect in the line... "It has shed essence." I couldn't help but marvel at the "and yet..." attached to that statement. What powerful implications we can take from that "and yet."
The sililoquy was breathtaking.
"remember me, and my red-fire shadow
streaming into patient emptiness
my light spilled, a wanton gravity,
poured into the only love
a star can know"
wanton gravity poured into patient emptiness....the magnitude of that image, that idea, the potential metaphorical applications of the shedding of self into such an emptiness...its so much to conceive of, to read, to allow the mind and emotions to spin about.
This is an excellent portrayal of "swelling" to say the least. Your poem in word pictures mirrors the magnitude of its subject. I am in awe.
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Thank you -
for your kind words and very accurate insights, I think you know something about this star. I have added an author's note and some links for some who might not be so up to date on this..kind of like me......PK
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Indeed, we all stand on the shoulders of giants, remembering their roars. Good luck in Carol's contest, Poet Man. This is such a grand penning. 
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Thank you Wanda-
Carol's contests seem to bring out the best in the writers, makes us reach for something...thank you for your kind words...PK
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Very beautiful piece with amazing imagery. Just lovely.
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Thank you -
Orion has fascinated people for thousands of years so many ancient legends...thanks for your kind words...PK
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Red gaint calling fire, inspired,
close, distant world of eternal desire,
charging poet to write in lyre
the song of Orion in pre-dawn summer eyes
I love this PK
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Thank you Rich
i imagine your skies there in the mountains are fantastic, last time i was in Colorado, was on business and I hardly got outside at all...thanks for all ...PK
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powerful and beautifully written as always...I could almost see the brightness from the imagery in this piece...
Excellent
Lynda
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Thank you Lynda-
yes it is an incredible sight from the things i have seen, especially lately; when I think back to childhood, my mother recited...Stella, stella nursery rhyme style, this star is not a twinkle...thanks for all...PK
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