Starry Beach Sky Poem by Bill Galvin

The deep and dark night sky tonight
At once awes you with the majesty
Of its complete half-dome canopy
Of brilliant star lights,
With the Evening Star Venus
Close to the Big Dipper in the western sky.

This beach peninsula allows the viewer to see
From horizon to horizon, a 360 degree perspective,
Drawing your eye and mind to focus into deep-sky;
Deeper still to find the dimmer stars between the stars.
So clear a night; not a haze, nor a city light.

A gentle gulf breeze blows from the west
Over this barrier beach;
The surf sounds of nearby breaking waves dominate
The monotonous overlay of breakers
From up and down the coast.
I listen; I stare; I am mesmerized;
I stand arms folded on a coolish 3 AM morn;
Peering straight upward; side-to-side;
Everywhere I turn, all around,
Surrounded near and far by starry nightglow.

My eye is drawn on-shore
To the silhouette of a lone pine tree
With limbs growing akimbo due to the sea breezes,
And between each is one of six to eight bright stars
Playing the role of holiday ornaments
Hanging from its branches.

This place and time,
A viewpoint for mind and soul of balance and clarity.

3-18-2015 St Joseph Peninsular State Park, FL