THE COMETMAKER

by Patricia Nimchek

Racing toward the source of its brightness,

An icy bit of star dust

Emerges from the darkness of space

Trailing light like a bridal veil

Behind its glowing face.

One brief lap is a lifetime

For us poor earthbound men.

Reminding us our days are precious and few,

It draws our eyes upward, beyond it, to Him

Who made stars and stargazers too.

We are nothing more than star dust

Yet He humbled Himself for our sake.

His love in us brings a glow to our faces

And He lifts us to soar like the comet

In heavenly places.

(Originally written on January 5, 1986 for the arrival of Comet Halley, the following note came with the poem: "I send this poem in honor of Comet Hyakutake's arrival, in memory of my earthly father, and to give glory to our heavenly Father.")