Nova

how short a day might be
if some marble ran 'round the other
if some spiral spun willy-ways;
instead, this marvelous mandala
a time to break fast, to plant seed,
time for a birth, a leaping

how cold a night might be
if some noble star lost his crown
if he lain down, sword too heavy
in princely retirement;
instead, a blanket of blinking hallowers,
figures of all antiquity extant,
lovers at war, parents of plenty,
all our gods 
wrapped round our dreams

Oh Nova! Oh Sun! Oh God!