Constellations
Paul Bluestein
The curtain of clouds is lifting
on the stage of the evening sky.
The stars are weary,
cast in their unchanging roles
night after night until time itself ends .
Yet, without applause or bouquets of flowers,
the constellations play out their cosmic tragedy,
chasing around and around the nighttime set
like riders on a slow-spinning carousel,
but never catching the object of their pursuit.
Aquarius, Capricorn,
Virgo, Gemini and Orion
(accompanied by a supporting cast of rams,
scorpions, fish, bulls and crabs),
perform their eternal dance
while we watch in awe.
