Figure C12 NOCTURNE

Back, further back, we see the Cosmic Void,

The space surrounding and preceding ALL.

With giddiness, our sense of scale destroyed,

What is this garden? Infinitely small—

Yet beautiful within its filmy caul,

Cloudy with galaxies— with what great pains

We hold our thoughts, lest the bauble fall

And shatter. There our Universe remains,

Safe from disturbance by our overheated brains.