Seemed to be more stars in the sky...
when knee high to a space-hopper...
‘Sequins sewn on a black, velvet cloth’,
or so I would romanticize in poetry.
Since then, I’ve journeyed far; never
discovered them again, nor that surreal,
dizzy feeling, bade me reach out –
palms tingling; cup them in my hands,
like a zillion slivers of glass.
How I miss those stars... ones
that have died, and I wonder
if they hold funerals for stars,
after that final firework display
of a Supa Nova. Many ways
of praying; I kneel down – hug
the body of an old, Scots pine
as starshine sifts through blue-green
branches, fretting the heavens...
Remembering all those yarns,
my father spun; about The Hunter,
Orion – his jewelled belt, and Sirius,
his hound...Of the ‘Great Bear’,
with its heartbeat, soft and slow,
sleeping not so far away beneath
the ridge from where the fire-
frenzied sun will rise, I realise
these stars, too, might be reborn.
Almost dawn...no time to spare
as I travel back to that place
they call ‘childhood’, where one
samples the delights of seeing
things as they are...No clouds
of doubt, or swirling mists
of preconceived ideas – no fog
of dogged disbelief, no ‘light
pollution’ here, to mar the view...
tonight, I let the stars, speak
for themselves.
Comments
Rhiannonw | January 23, 2012 - 12:19
I keep meaning to get a trip far out into the country one dark night! My daughter loved her year helping at a school up in the alps, in feeling she could reach out for the so-bright jewels in the sky.
An interesting well-flowing reflection again!
Rhiannon
Silver Spun Sand | January 23, 2012 - 13:07
Thank you, Rhiannon. We are lucky where we live. Not much light pollution at all, except the solar lights in our garden;-)
Pleased you enjoyed.
Tina
skinner_jennifer | January 23, 2012 - 16:47
I adored this poem Tina,
studying the stars is definitely something I'm into
at the moment, have been looking up on the internet,
about their meanings, so I have to say, that this
is one of my favourites of yours.
I loved the way you described the stars as sequins,
sewn on a black velvet cloth, how beautiful.
I'm afraid I've never discovered where orion is, or
sirius, but I'm studing greek mythology, wish I
could come and see you, then you could show me where
all these wonderful stars are. It must be amazing to
look at the sky where you live, being as it's so
clear. Wonderful poem.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | January 23, 2012 - 17:04
Thank you, so very much, Jenny.I wish I could show you too:-)
To locate Orion, if you look, quite low to the horizon in the Southern sky, you will see a slightly diagonal line of three stars. This is part of The Orion constellation, and is referred to as the belt of Orion, The Hunter. If you look South again of this, you might be able to spot Sirius (The Dog Star) It is the brightest star in the sky, and shines with rainbow colours. Hope you can spot them one day.
So pleased you enjoyed this poem, Jenny. Good luck with your stargazing;-)
Tina
Indrani Ananda | January 23, 2012 - 17:16
Indrani Ananda
Another gem Tina. I still feel like this about the night sky, even though I have studied Astronomy all my life. There is the romantic, fanciful side, with all the mythology, and the practical side - what you see through your telescope when the streetlights don't ruin it. My first husband used to make mirrors for reflecting telescopes, so I've done a lot of stargazing.
Indrani.
Silver Spun Sand | January 23, 2012 - 17:20
So pleased you enjoyed this one, Indrani;-)
I have always been interested in Astronomy, from a small child, but know little about it. My husband, however, is quite an expert, and has taken some fantastic 'moon shoots' with his telescopic lens.
Nothing quite like stargazing, is there?;-)
Tina
oldpesky | January 23, 2012 - 17:30
A friend, somewhat under the influence of several single malts, texted me last night from the banks of Loch Lomond waxing lyrical about the number of stars in the dark, cloudess sky. Think I'll point him in the direction of this poem for further inspiration. Beautiful as always, Tina.
skinner_jennifer | January 23, 2012 - 18:14
Thankyou so much for your help Tina, I will certainly
look out for these stars, it's so fascinating.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | January 23, 2012 - 18:34
Gosh, yes, old pesky. On the banks of Loch Lomond, is perfect for star-gazing;-) My hubbie had a business close by to the loch once, and we spent many a night, doing just that. It was cold, but fantastic.
Pleased you enjoyed and for leaving such a lovely comment.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | January 23, 2012 - 18:34
You're more than welcome, Jenny.
shoe | January 23, 2012 - 19:42
This is just lovely, full of child-like naivete and wonder along with a little grown-up stuff, I love the second verse especially.
Silver Spun Sand | January 23, 2012 - 19:58
Shoe...good to hear from you;-)
Many thanks for the read, and for such a lovely comment.
Tina
blighters rock | January 24, 2012 - 14:26
This is beautiful, Tina, and I love the way you align the significance of stars' existence to that of people. Never thought about them like that before, and your insight shows how in touch you are with the universe. The power of forgiveness sets us free and returns us to innocent thought if we search willingly.
Silver Spun Sand | January 24, 2012 - 17:00
Thanks, so very much, Richard;-)
I am really glad you picked up on that...about the significance of stars' existence to that of people. Very much my philosphy, as you gathered.
Pleased you took the trouble to get right to the heart of this one, Richard. More than appreciated.
Tina
threeleafshamrock | January 24, 2012 - 22:27
I often look at the stars (where I live, there's little else TO look at). I find myself wondering about the generations before and - maybe more so - the generations to come, that may look at the same stars. What did/will they think, see, dream of? We pass through but the stars remain.
Loved this one Tina...going out searching the heavens, now that you've reminded me ;)
Chris xxx
Silver Spun Sand | January 25, 2012 - 09:19
Thanks for the read, Chris, and the lovely comment. Hope you get to see those Northern Lights;-)
Tina xxx
Highhat | January 27, 2012 - 18:47
I too used to live in the country Tina and that is one of the things I miss the most- stargazing- I love the idea of a funeral for stars- lots of shooting stars then. Absolutely stunning poem Tina- just love its richness.
;)Pia