If you go far enough out
you can see the Universe itself,
all the billion light years summed up time
only as a flash, just as lonely, as distant
as a star on a June night
if you go far enough out.
And still, my friend, if you go far enough out
you are only at the beginning
– of yourself.
~ Rolf Jacobsen
(Night Open: Selected Poems of Rolf Jacobsen)
Wow. I wondered where that poem was going. Such a brief poem conveys so much …
Oh yes, it sums up in striking poetry some of the wonders of spirit and science which we’re only beginning to understand…
love, Love, LOVE this!
I thought you might, Laurie! 🙂
Hi Barbara. It is so eerie to see those lights and know that I am down there. If we could go out far enough, we would be able to see our past … I’d like that. Jane
Hi Jane, it is very awesome to contemplate the vastness of the universe and our little speck of humanness. When I was a child I often had visions or dreams where I was out far enough to transcend time and space… I’d like to see our past, too.
Beautiful thought-provoking poem!
I’m pleased your thoughts were provoked, Sheryl! 🙂
Yes, My June Star! “…and we are only at the beginning” this statement sipped through me. I read it at least thrice. I love the night view of the globe. It reminds of my previous flight to Dubai, the city was amazing in the night and seeing the whole aura from the sky above in the night was indeed mesmerizing! Thank you, Barbara! Hope you are having a fantastic June time your side.
Isn’t the image of our earth at night amazing? I Googled Dubai for night images – what a dazzling city, night or day! It seems to have an incredible number of the tallest skyscrapers in the world – it’s astonishing to think about how many people live and work on top of each other in such small footprints. Not a good place to be if one is afraid of heights! 🙂
I enjoyed this poem tremendously, Barbara. If we go far enough out, perhaps we see ourselves. Can you imagine sensing oneself as the Universe? WaHoo!
Yes, indeed, Kathy, I’ve often felt myself as the universe, especially when I was a child. 🙂 It’s quite a thrill and a little scary, too…
If you can go far enough out that it takes you to the beginning of yourself, why not go further, to before yourself? This poem reminds me of the lovely conversations I used to have with my father, about dimensions and time.
I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall listening to your conversations about dimensions and time with your dad, Joanne. My dad and I got into huge arguments when discussions about science drifted over to spirit. But I love the conversations my son and I get into about this stuff! 🙂
Wow. I love this, Barbara. ♥
Thank you, Robin! ♥