The Stars

(i)

In the mind’s midnight

the fixed stars ride

tonight I gaze at the space

between them

(ii)

a red star invisible

until it falls—

and then for a moment

flaring

I long to see it stay

—a comet, a signal—

but only its exploding gave it

that luminous trail

of fire

(iii)

at midnight

two darknesses:

confusion

and illimitable space

in the west

a star-sickle to slash through;

overhead the dipper

swings from Arcturus’ peg

pours out what it

cannot contain

what does not

contain it

(iv)

in the northeast burns

yellow-white Capella

star of the first magnitude

in the meadow grass

its slow imitator

ignites    goes out    goes on

(v)

o stars you live in the dark

as I do

I lie down on the bony ground

to stare up

my body letting go—

o diamonds fall into my eyes

become my seeing

clear and indestructible