Saturday, January 21, 2012

Under the stars....


I stepped out
into a freezing night
to see the big dipper falling -
laying low in the January heavens.

I breath in – surveying
the night thru naked tree limbs – as my life
taking in the grand array.

I discover Orion’s belt, my old friend
Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka
The Three Marys some say and
our guide to the north looks on.

Every star is visible it seems
on this clear night
dancing in their own constellations
in celebration of this day.

My breath blows out
the cold candles of wonder,  still
after all these years
of looking up –
into this deep mysterious sky.

Curious, how insignificant
one life might be,
yet for some choice made
or is it perhaps just chance
that takes place within
this realm of light -
the domain of these observing old stars.

Orion is 800 light years away
from our earth – yet seconds
away from this page.

I stepped out into this freezing night
where light travels
186,000 miles per second
from light years away
to celebrate – this insignificant,
yet joyful birthday.


Doug Claybourne
Copyright © Doug Claybourne 2012. All Rights Reserved.