Hubble's Successor

We talked of the problems 
 the early Hubble 
 the disappointment 
 
of its launchers 
 They projected 
 it could look back 
 
to the Big Bang 
 The thought of seeing 
 my own creation 
 
 
in real time turned me 
 inside out 
 Such a sight 
 
could swallow us up 
 and we laughed 
 that the universe said 
 
"Not so fast!" 
 Space walks and repairs 
 turned the Hubble 
 
into a wonder and the future 
 promises more 
 I wonder still 
 
how much kneading 
 time will take 
 how many eyes 
 
I would have to have 
 to watch the back 
 of my head 
 
 -- Carol Hamilton