Stephen's Quintet by Guido Martini

My dad occasionally sends me emails of the "Astronomy Picture of the Day"
A sort of cosmic money-shot taken of the orgy of our forming universe.
The thought of it embarrasses me, just like how you felt when your parents embarrassed you in front of your schoolmates
That flushed feeling passing from your head to your toes.

Hold on...how many other parents send out really cool emails?
I mean meaningful, deep, totally enlightening?
Not a viral joke email or a funny picture of a cat
He's sending me pictures of GALAXIES! CONSTELLATIONS! COSMIC DUST!
It's as is he's stating: look up there my son.
Wonder. Why you are here.
Wonder.

And so it was, as I observed "Stephen's Quintet,
It all made sense:
Life is pure energy.
It burns brighter than any sun
Impossible temperatures
But not enough for 37.5°