During the night I get up, stretch
move my joints
hearing the creaks that settle in
and loosen with movement.
Leaving the safety of my campsite
heading up to the rocks
above the river.
Climbing gingerly in the dark
to a spot I saw earlier.
It's flat up there
I can sit and watch the stars.
The moon is at a crescent providing
little light, my fire is embers
smoldering.
Stars are providing the illumination
now, layer upon layer.
I settle on the rock
pull my legs up and hug them
putting my chin on my knees
I start to watch the show.
Stars glitter in the still water
as they do in the sky, shimmering.
Thinking of the ancients
looking into the sky and seeing gods,
all the emotions and drama of life
set in the heavens.
Never able to get away from the pathos
of life, always enduring the untenable.
I watch as chariots race across the sky,
warriors fight,
lovers love,
I think about the universe
it's elegance and beauty,
the energy it's composed of.
Sometimes I sigh just thinking about it.
I'm surrounded by elegance and beauty
in nature, day and night.
Love, peace, beauty, hope it's
all in the stars tonight
and I get to bear witness to it.
2/07