Neowise

A comet was once the long-haired starWhich shone in the sky as it burned its wayInto the brains of men who knew their God

Had sent it from the unknown world beyond.Sent it to curse, warn or greet the devoutAnd profane who labour under the sun.

We may not tremble now or smile beneathThe long-haired star, but still we have toFathom the heavens and scatter names:

Neowise – wise enough, perhaps, only toVisit every 7,000 years –Not for us a trip from nowhere to nowhere.

But maybe the still devout now wonderIf the comet is a faithful spy -A cosmic camera perhaps

Reporting back to God hiding deepWithin the interstellar dust – ashamed,As a parent with a perverted child.

And what the Neowise will find whenNext it comes is anyone’s guess –The earth will still be here, for sure,

Wounded, perhaps,by either fire or flood.But maybe the ape man whoBecame sapient will once again

Emerge from his cave to watch a cometScarring the sky, knowing it must beA sign of hope or despair, but not

A reminder that man has defiled his name.