To Gaia

The following might seem surprising, given how I usually write, but I have a bit of poetry for you.

For context, on January 15th 2025 the ESA Gaia space observatory ended its mission after 11 years of operation. It gave us a picture of the Milky Way, like we have never seen before. I felt like rhyming and here it is.

To Gaia

There once was a telescope out there, in space,
Who wanted to know the stars, their time and place,

Curious of dancing, it glimpsed their moves,
Watching, which partners they seemed to choose,

It peeked at the dancers and the light they cast
Sweeping the ballroom, in its majesty vast,

Seeing the show it went, in a rush,
To fill its canvas, brush after brush,

It painted the sky in detail exquisite,
Picturing places one would not dare visit,

Alien new worlds and monsters of old,
Breathtaking wonders and sights to behold,

All while from gravity the telescope hid,
Gently catching the breeze of the solar wind,

Now, all alone and far, far from home,
It sends its last message, but cheerful in tone,

“I saw so much and had tons of fun,
Hope you had too, I’m off for the Sun”