One star contracts, at last, tonight
to heave its final heat and light
on bygone worlds,
where minds did wait,
anticipating cosmic fate.

Perhaps they raged, presumed to yell,
condemning heavens for their hell.
Or is it some had found a way
beyond "the end"
to live today?

What wonders planetary beings face.
Escape destruction? Stay in place?
As other suns, and ours, return,
they beg the question:
learn or burn?