Aerogel

Seriously, worship this stuff.

The substance in the vial
Is the lightest known to man
In the shape of baby marshmallows
It tumbles weightlessly when shaken
I can relate

It reflects the palest colors
Of purple, blue, and pink
Like looking at a cloud
That has fallen effortlessly from the sky
Knowing it can fly where we cannot
Thinking that this molecule has
Floated with the stars
Personifies the near invisible stone
And I am jealous.

This thing, the aerogel, piece of angels heart
Is the kind of precious jem that
Dances in the minds of men
And decorates the castle halls
It plays with young imaginations
This aerogel that is hardly there at all.

But if you take this jewel
In your fingers and
Apply the slightest pressure
It will shatter into glittery, weightless shards
I can relate.

Author's Note

Wrote this when I was fifteen after seeing a piece of aerogel in my astronamy class - pretty much only like the poem because it reminds me of the substance - critiques welcomed.

Reviews

[James Paulin]

So many things are reflected in this piece. Ideas, hopes, dreams and love all hold promise if handled with care. The delicacy of your premise is apropos.

[Legion]

Cool analogy at the end there. Love it. Good work.