the more loving one

• w.h. auden'dan;
  
  looking up at the stars, i know quite well
  that, for all they care, i can go to hell,
  but on earth indifference is the least
  we have to dread from man or beast.
  
  how should we like it were stars to burn
  with a passion for us we could not return?
  if equal affection cannot be,
  let the more loving one be me.
  
  admirer as i think i am
  of stars that do not give a damn,
  i cannot, now i see them, say
  i missed one terribly all day.
  
  were all stars to disappear or die,
  i should learn to look at an empty sky
  and feel its total darkness sublime,
  though this might take me a little time.