Carina Travel Agency

Background Image: Carina Nebula image taken by HAWK-I camera on ESO’s Very Large Telescope

Credit: © ESO/T. Preibisch – Source

When my inward eye fancies
an escapist extravaganza,
I picture myself as a little alien
visiting a cosmic Ginza.

In my utilitarian spacecraft,
full throttle to a hypergiant star,
I drive and drive, so careless
of space and time afar.

I stop a while for a glance,
atop the highest Cosmic Cliffs,
gazing all around at the galaxy,
soaking in glowing sidereal whiffs.

I peep into the dark Keyhole,
but through the dust, all I see
is the grand Defiant Finger
mocking, making fun of me.

Tuned to my favourite Astro-Radio,
to Mystic Mountain, I head my ship.
I, of course, take pictures for content,
let down—never!—by a good old nebula trip.