α UMi / Mary Hanrahan

The first time I saw it blink

I knew there was a way out.

A pulsating massive F7 supergiant

brighter than the sun, not the brightest

but so consistent, for now

in being where it needs to be.

Aratus once gazed into space

and decided to write a cosmic

manifesto. Let me be clear,

the rite of celestial nomenclature

is fascinating but not necessary.

I just want to look up

and be thrilled. Point to the sky

and say

there it is again.

Mary Hanrahan is an writer living with PTSD. Her work appears or is forthcoming in Ellipsis Zine, Ephemerae, Frogpond, Bottle Rockets,and elsewhere.