THE SKY AT NIGHT
It is too cold to stop and count the stars in the sky,
But we do for a short while stand and gaze up high,
And see myriads of stars like diamonds so bright
That shine in the northern skies through the night.

Many we know and can call them by their name,
Others we don’t know, but they shine just the same,
And when the young winter moon, with her halo of light
Sails among them, the sight fills you with pure delight.

See, there is a falling star, here are the northern lights
Dancing merrily, meandering silently, flowing into sight,
Who cannot love the night sky when it shines this way,
It sometimes gives us far more joy than the light of day.

Although we miss the big city, so much more is gained
In little lit places, where the night is not ever drained
By the garish brightness of artificial beams that destroy
This quiet vision that is now before us that we can enjoy.

M Ann Margetson December 20, 2001