*

*

somewhere in the clouds and gas

of a dying star

revolve cooling planets

on one of which

gasps a creature of sensibility

and intellect

reaching out with tentacles

to touch its shivering child

*

or perhaps

in an encroaching ocean of ice

a swimmer with fins or flukes

paddles toward

the warmer equator

*

for thousands of years

this dimming star

in the southern ring nebula

has sent out halos

of vapor and dust

in all directions

a requiem of

souvenirs of itself