Craig W. Steele

No matter how fast light travels,
it finds the darkness has always
got there first, and is waiting for it.
? Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man

Astronomers analyze stars,
studying the universe that was,
watching it burn down while
imbibing the mead of molten spheres
that salt the depths of darkness,
and illustrate an axiom of artists:
to show light, you must show dark.

Like patrons in an art gallery,
astronomers focus on the dazzling light
splattered across the canvas,
while the darkness
patiently waits its turn.