The Story of Astronomy has lingered in my library, unopened, for years.
Not a crease across the spine. Not a dog ear between the pages.
I pulled it down from the shelf, hoping it would inspire a poem.
My hope was mislead. But I did learn the sky has a remarkable influence on the Muslim faith:
Allah had put these signs in the sky for a purpose. The stars helped Muslims to work out the direction to Mecca; while the Sun indicated the five times of day when they must pray. The first appearance of the crescent Moon marked the beginning of a new Islamic month. And – by investigating the heavens – Muslim scholars would literally get closer to knowing the mind of God.
Faith and science speaking with each other.
Rare.
Keep those unread books close. Someday they’ll reveal a new truth.
Floodlights and Goalposts 