The Luck of the Light 


As I gaze at a twinkling star 
My mind wanders out into the void, 
Imagining one photon on its way across years of space 
To its final destiny in the rods and cones of my eye, 
Adding its small part to that star's twinkle.  

Then I think of the photons that were not so lucky  
As to find their way into my eye 
Or the eye of a friend, 
Or even some instrument at the observatory
Where they might contribute to our knowledge 
Even if their beauty is lost.  

Their doom may come in a dust cloud 
Halfway here from their star,
Or in a cold crater on the backside of the moon, 
Or perhaps a branch of that leafless tree
Silhouetted against the winter sky. 

And there are those sad few that almost make it, 
Ending up against my forehead or in my eyelashes, 
Or perhaps knocking in vain against an eyelid during a blink: 
So close, but yet so far.  

Do the gods of the night sky amuse themselves by riding photons, 
Taking bets on whose will fall where?  



                                     -- Tom Digby 
                                     Written 18:16 02/05/2004
                                     Edited  17:49 02/06/2004