the old captains had been so clever to keep

the minds of the shipmates up out of the sea

from the murk and the monsters that lurk in the deep

with stories of the night sky;

eternal heroes in pins of light, led them all through the billowing night

so they kept their eyes up on the stars.

though they burned pinholes and the sea collects all that pours out in its depths, it was enough for them then.

so, more light now, I had thought.

but I look about space and worry

clever stories may not be enough.

when the dark between stars has lit up

where then do I tell them to look?