When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer (thing)

From a book on poetry of Physics, Math, & Astronomy (where I saw the above poem wroteup)

Galaxy
          faint
            in deep space
              immense as a brain

          down
            through the thought-
               shaft it drifts, a wale

          of light to
            which the retina
              opens and is entered

          time and
            space dis-
              appearing as the mind
       
          recedes
            to a soundless
              flickering somewhere
   
          deeper
            than consciousness
              where, permanent as

          change
            a whorl of light
              rides, wheeling in darkness

     
~ Richard Ryan
 (b. 1946)