March 3, 1999

thirsting for life in a universe devoid of sign

elusive in this fastness eternities in length

vast expanses of nothing with the stuff

of life replete upon one magnificent diamond,

most beautiful gem of the universe

holding that we hopeful seek yet have never found

one spark, one tiny, promising light,

would be sufficient to prove us right

(but could never prove the other wrong)

these seeds of life they must be spread

far and cast about upon distant worlds

unheard and yet unseen, would we could

our dreams would no more dream but live

in a universe made smaller by the sharing