True double stars do not lie

near each other

by mere chance.

They are held together by physical bonds

that keep them

forever

revolving around each other,

and their revolutions are what betray to us

the relationship

of the stars

taking part in the motion.

Sometimes it requires many years

to determine

whether there is a physical connection

or not.

Found poem: The Friendly Stars, by Martha Evans Martin,

revised by D.H. Menzel, p. 92, found 8/31/97, arranged 10/24/97.