Astronomy for Girls
by Mary Cresswell
Andromeda was tied up, but
Cassiopeia was there, Virgo
seven sisters jostled for space
Coma Berenices trailed along
They careened across the sky
in the black solar wind
It is cold tonight, I said politely
and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear
It's dark outside
everyone is watching.
Get used to it! They laughed.
This is what happens
when you fly beyond the moon.
Copyright © 2004, Mary Cresswell
First Quarter Moon
Copyright © 2003, Christopher J. Picking
Mary Cresswell is a science/natural history editor and freelance proofreader. She immigrated to New Zealand from Los Angeles years ago. She lives by the beach, just north of Wellington, and can see Alpha Centauri from her bedroom window.