PATHMAKER (To Maria Mitchell)

In those eyes, dark as pools, the morning star Must have lain long; on that calm breadth of brow Must have been set some nobleness of vow To distance and to space and all things far. A little narrow street enshrines her now, But through the world her planet pathways are Blazed with her name; the constellate gates un-pbar To those who, following, her star-cairns know. Woman, who walked with Science to mark the lights Along dark ways, thy luminous steps are dim; Rapt on ethereal roads of satellites: Art gazing still through space beyond the brim Of sparkling nebula meadows to the nights Of some New Radiance o’er still farther Rim?