“Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.”

― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie

Hush now, little one and quieten that troubled heart of yours. Don’t let it weep into the tresses of your silky hair, do not let each crystal drop fall out in vain from those orbs you have for eyes. Your flesh has been trembling under the pale moon light, do you not for once think that the Heavens are not watching you in silent mourning. Like a mother watching her child writhing in pain, the constellations groan in agonising torture.

[ In the Skies]

“Such a sweet thing! Why does she cry so despairingly?”, cries Columba as she wrings her hands desperately.

Pegasus and Lyra glanced wearily at each other in despondency.

“I can’t bear to watch this! No no! We must do something!”, asserted Orion as he struggled to leave his ordained position in the sky to caress the supple cheek of the helpless child, his hands too short and out of reach.

Alas, they could only watch from afar as this sweet little thing, twist and turns upon the nightmare she must endure in her heart. What a turmoil! Such a despair! Pray do tell, when will the child’s suffering end?

“Let’s pray!”, declares the sons of Heaven, “maybe the God above may hear our plea on her behalf, and if we are too soft, the angels can carry our supplication before the throne room of God”. Hence, why little one, the stars seemed that much brighter, sweeter and magical that night. The intense twinkling of their beings was their signal to God to bring your misery to an absolute end. Hush now, little one, lift your chin up. Those forlorn eyes will soon see better days, for you are not alone. The heavens are watching, and my child, you are deeply and most ardently loved.

Footnotes:

COLUMBA – THE DOVE
Genitive: Columbae

Columba constellation represents the dove. It was introduced by Petrus Plancius in the 16th century and originally named Columba Noachi, or Noah’s Dove, in reference to the dove that signalled to Noah that the Great Flood was receding.

LYRA – THE HARP
Genitive: Lyrae

Lyra constellation represents the lyre of Orpheus, the Greek poet and musician who died at the hands of the Bacchantes.

ORION – THE HUNTER
Genitive: Orionis

Orion constellation represents the mythical hunter Orion, son of the sea god Poseidon and the Cretan princess Euryale. It is one of the oldest constellations known, also associated with the Sumerian myth of Gilgamesh.

PEGASUS – THE WINGED HORSE
Genitive: Pegasi

Pegasus represents the white winged horse from Greek mythology. The horse was said to have sprung from the neck of the Gorgon Medusa when Perseus beheaded her.

Constellation Names – Constellation Guide. (2020). Retrieved 2 May 2020, from https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-names/