Parallax

Michaela Stansberry

The universe is vast, vast and

beautiful

perilous

Surpassing our imaginations

Debris roam free, pummeling

by parsecs. Stars collapse

planets into submission. The void

into being and life springs

stretches like a never-ending

from cesspools of recycled

night, bringing a chill that creeps

chemicals. The graceful curves

into your bones and frosts

of nebulae beckon like an inviting

your lungs. A vacuum tugging

hand. Gravity wells seduce

at your sanity and gleefully diffusing

unsuspecting particles, rendering

your oxygen. The emptiness doubles,

them jewelry for a planetary

triples before light can cut through,

mistress. The celestial sphere taunts

with images of things light years past.