The Astronomy Pupil’s Answer

I will fetch your blasted textbook: you will read it ere you die.

As you strive to find an answer still, indeed I know you’ll try

To overcome your frailties, your foibles, your faults.

To attempt to wrest some useful thoughts from deep inside your vaults.

 

You are foolish still, my master, foolish to the end,

For trying to pierce life’s mysteries, their ethereal forms to rend.

You say your work i shall continue, your path tread ever on

But who will guide me, teach me, lead me; when you are dead and gone?

 

Should I live life by your lessons? Continue as you were here?

Attempt to follow in your footprints, maintain what you held dear?

Or forge a new path, wander alone? Make a turn away from you?

Question that which needs an answer and to your ideals hold true.

 

I suppose that’s all you’re asking: not just to become you,

But to hold fast to all your teachings and maintain my point of view.

To watch the night, the stars, the morning and continue on my way

As I unravel small mysteries to understand the day.

 

Though your soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;

You have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

And the stars look back in silence, as they wend their well trod’ way

Of what they see, or want, or know, i’m sure they shall not say.

 

You have never failed in kindness, you have stayed forever wise

Please forgive my earlier outburst, it was naught but fear and lies.

I will continue what you taught me, I will reap what you have sown

And hope that I find someone to show the things that you have shown.

 

I will fetch your Tycho Brahe, I will now draw back the veil

In the dazzling light of Venus may no man e’er look pale.

Goodbye beloved teacher, you have done more than you could know

So amongst the stars and planets you triumphantly must go.

 

I weep not for your passing, instead I weep for me

Who never will know of all the things that you were wont to see.

Though your soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;

You have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

The Astronomy Pupil’s Answer