Genesis

The core shrinks 
in gravity's embrace, 
nuclear runaway 
fuses atoms 
from helium to iron. 
Exo- to endothermic, 
the core implodes 
into a neutron sea, 
sears the sky 
with shockwaves, 
flings death's fertile 
ash across the void. 

Tsunamis diffuse, 
nudge cold cocoons 
of gas and dust 
in slow collapse 
to stardom. 
Hatchling suns ignite, 
nourish worlds, 
molten, coalesced 
from a swirling cloud, 
toward life. 

Scott Speck
03/12/99