Cassiopeia A

A fifty-word prose poem about a constellation

Cassiopeia A via the James Webb Space Telescope | NASA

Deep within the stellar tapestry of

the constellation, Cassiopeia A emerges,

an impressive cosmic remnant.

A celestial portrait etched in scattered light,

her brilliance transcends time.

A luminous tribute to celestial dances,

she whispers secrets of explosive demise,

tales of cosmic rebirth, and boundless

wonders woven throughout the universe’s fabric.

I wrote this poem in response to a prompt from Justin Deming in Fifties by the Fire. The prompt asked the writer to “Write a fifty-word story (fiction, poem, or work of CNF) incorporating stars, a starry night, or a constellation.” This is one I didn't submit.

Author’s Note

Cassiopeia A, a celestial wonder that graces the cosmos, is a breathtaking masterpiece of a star’s demise, a supernova. In the constellation Cassiopeia, it holds the distinction of being the most luminous radio source outside of our solar system at frequencies exceeding 1 GHz. The explosion itself took place roughly 11,000 light-years away, within our own Milky Way galaxy. The remaining supernova debris appears 10 light-years wide as viewed from Earth.

The remains of the explosion scatter like stardust through space. These remnants, forged in the fiery heart of the star, shimmer and sparkle with a brilliance that rivals the brightest jewels. They form a cosmic mosaic, evidence of the grandeur of the universe.

Cassiopeia A is a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life, the deep mysteries that lie beyond our reach. In this supernova remnant, we observe the boundless wonders of the universe and the infinite possibilities that await us in the depths of space.

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