Losing the Night

The London night is peppered with a thousand tiny stars
        But never with the silver milky way
We've sprinkled ghostly glow-worms to make safer roads for cars
        And lost the finest sights of yesterday
I'd have to move one hundred miles to see one million lights
And bask beneath the theatre of those dark departed nights

When I was young my Father worked a few weeks in Japan
        And brought me a reflecting telescope
I turned my gazing skyward and saw worlds untouched by man
        Which filled a childish mind with dreams and hope
But now for city children there aren't stars on winter nights
They're lost inside the overflow of closer manmade lights

Each year I'm driven farther to observe amazing scenes
        Which man has seen for all his years on Earth
The time is fast approaching when we will not have the means
        To show our children what the night is worth
So if you have the fortune to live far from wasteful lights
Take time to drink the beauty of your deep black star-drenched nights
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Culverhouse Avatar
December 29, 2009 at 4:41 PM
great idea, I am glad I live in the country.
Goff Avatar
June 15, 2009 at 1:25 PM
enjoyable poem, Jeff, I was in northern Minnesota a couple weeks ago and was startled by the un-filtered sight above!! Jim
Golden Avatar
June 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Jeff, this is beautifully written and speaks clearly of our rapid encroachment on Earth's treasures. Thanks for this reminder to enjoy nature while we are left with enough to enjoy! Very well done! Donna
Adeite Avatar
June 15, 2009 at 9:08 AM
interesting imageries, this is awesome, yeah and wonderful rhymes. keep writing . you are great
Shango Avatar
June 15, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Beautiful metaphoric terms. Lovely. -One love my friend
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