"Binary Stars" -- a poem to honor Karim Abou Najm
A poem Dr. Andy read at an event noting the anniversary celebrating the remarkable short life of a UC Davis student, friend, brother, and son.
Binary Stars – a poem in honor of Karim Abou Najm
“Najm” is the Arabic word for “star.”
Our first stargazers beheld the brightest stars with wonder,
not knowing until handed the eventual telescope
that sometimes twin stars depended upon each other,
gravitational forces keeping them in mutual orbit.
Such it is with our children.
They ply and test and challenge
the familial gravitational pull,
the parent star loosening and tightening the cosmic tether,
knowing that at some point the stellar companion
must find his own orbit.
Oh but how the universe is vast
when the tether is cut too soon!
We look to the skies,
imagining the form,
the face,
the smile,
the brilliant eyes of our bright star.
We look for signs, imagining wonders.
The corona remains.
Behold now the halo of light around the absence.
Sailors can still guide their ships from the celestial ring,
this exoplanetary symbol of eternity,
this steadfast corona.
To this day, the companion star’s light enlightens our eyes.
The captain gives a nod of thanks
to the supernova first mate
who keeps watch while the captain sleeps,
sometimes visiting dreams with a smile and a salute.
We know the light of that companion star.
The corona does not fade.
We still feel the gravitational tug.