The Helix Nebula
by Bob Bradshaw
I'm
looking up at the night sky
where the Helix Nebula
lives in its own darkness
with no other purpose
than to drift.
As I have
for the last thirty years.
A ring of fire
the Helix Nebula has nothing to consume
but itself,
in its loneliness.
I don't want to be reduced to a bright,
quick flame. When I die bury me
in the ground.
Anchor me with others.
Fill in the emptiness
that I never
could.
Copyright © 2007, Bob Bradshaw
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ J. Hora (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
Mr. Bradshaw is a programmer living in California. Recent and forthcoming work of his can be found at Eclectica, Half Drunk Muse, 3rd Muse, Red River Review, VLQ, Pen Himalaya, Avatar and Slow Trains.