Star Poetry: A Glimpse of the Night Sky

　　Stars have always fascinated mankind since the beginning of time, inspiring poets and writers alike. Poetry that talks about stars often invokes a sense of beauty, mystery, and wonder that only the night sky can evoke. This article aims to explore some of the most famous star poetry that has inspired generations of people all over the world. From Shakespeare to Emily Bronte, from William Blake to John Keats, the poets have always found magic in the twinkling stars above.

　　

1. "When I consider how my light is spent" by John Milton

　　This sonnet by John Milton is a meditation on his blindness and the limitations it has placed on him. In the poem, the speaker compares himself to a star, saying that is best not to ask why God made him as he is. Milton writes, "They also serve who only stand and wait", meaning that even if he can no longer perform his duties as a poet and a writer as he did before, he still has worth and purpose in the eyes of God.

　　

2. "The Star" by Jane Taylor

　　This nursery rhyme, originally published in 1806, tells the story of a little star that comes out at night to watch over children as they sleep. The star watches as the children dream, counting the number of lights that shine in each room. The innocence and simplicity of the poem have made it a beloved classic that parents still recite to their children today.

　　

3. "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas

　　This modernist poem by Dylan Thomas is a plea to his dying father to fight against deaths impending grip. The poem includes several metaphors for death, including "the dying of the light," which is a reference to the fading stars in the night sky. Thomas urges his father not to give up: "Rage, rage against the dying of the light!."

　　

4. "Bright Star" by John Keats

　　This sonnet by John Keats is a love poem that compares the speakers lover to a "daedal" (meaning intricate or skillfully made) star, shining alone in the night sky. The star symbolizes the unattainable beauty of the beloved, but also their constancy and the speakers desire to be with them forever: "Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art."

　　

5. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" by Jane Taylor

　　No list of star poetry would be complete without this nursery rhyme. Set to the tune of a French melody, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" has been sung by children all over the world since its publication in 1806. The poems simple language and memorable chorus make it an instant hit with young readers, helping children learn about the night sky and its twinkling stars.

　　These are just a few examples of the many poems and rhymes that have been written about stars over the years. Whether they are used as symbols of hope, love, or the mysteries of the universe, stars have always captured the imaginations of poets and writers alike.