They aren’t as alone as she expected in the house far
from the main roads. Their landlady, a wealthy widow,
often walks over to talk about the prices of cotton,
candles, and tea, topics that seem to interest William
more than Caroline expected.
Gentlemen visit to discuss possible life on the moon
and admire the telescopes William is making.
Caroline sets scones and jam on the table.
Some gentlemen interrupt her. Others ignore her.
Her favorite visitor is Dr. Maskelyne
from the Royal Observatory, who keeps
close track of time as told by the stars and moon.
He and his wife let Caroline hold their baby as he talks
about women astronomers. Hypatia, Elizabeth Hevelius,
Maria Agnesi didn’t seek fame or fortune, but worked
from devotion to their fathers, brothers, or husbands.
I work out of duty too. Caroline clears dishes.
There’s so much in the sky. Is it so wrong to wish
for one small piece of her own? Or at least that William
would say, Caroline, take a turn looking up.
Sometimes she wishes he would raise his own teacup
to his mouth, butter his own toast.