Weekly Read: “The James Webb Telescope Detects a Heartbeat” by Terry Tierney
BLR’s Weekly Read brings you one outstanding story, poem, or essay from our archive. This week’s read is “The James Webb Telescope Detects a Heartbeat” by Terry Tierney, from Issue 45.
Want your Weekly Read sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe here to receive our newsletters, including updates on events, issues, and more.
They say the pulses come from a distant galaxy,
an infant cluster in the first moment of birth.
But I wonder if the heartbeat is yours
there in your nebula of blood and gas
mindlessly chewing the corners of your blanket
with toothless gums,
your eyes still shut to screaming light,
the weave of distance and time
where you will always be our first child,
the edge of our farthest vision.
Why this poem?
“Terry seamlessly blends the wonder of the galaxies and the despair of earthly loss: ‘the weave of distance and time / where you will always be our first child, / the edge of our farthest vision.’ I feel strong emotions every time I read this; it makes me feel connection and hope as much as grief. Our interview with Terry is just as moving!”
– Melissa Pagnotta, BLR Communications Manager
More from Terry
Terry Tierney is the author of two poetry collections, Why Trees Stay Outside and The Poet’s Garage, and two novels Lucky Ride and The Bridge on Beer River, all published by Unsolicited Press. Learn more about Terry on his website.
Terry participated in our inaugural Narrative Arc, which celebrated the unique relationship between the writers who bring words to the page and the readers who receive them. Terry’s interview with Ashley McMullen contains insights into his poem, as well as a thoughtful conversation between two people that care about health and the writing process. (Plus you can hear Terry read “The James Webb Telescope Detects a Heartbeat”!)