Light Pollution

Strange question, he says.

Do you have light pollution where you live?

Strange indeed, I laugh, 

And tell him yes, 

But it isn't so bad.

…Why do you ask?

I do too.

He rarely sees stars where he lives.

So we plan.

When we finally meet,

We'll go on a hike together.

Far in the mountains, high above the city, 

Into a sky undimmed by artificial lights,

Untouched by the dreary past.

  

He makes me believe that when we meet,

Stars will splash across the sky like the notes in a jazz song.

He convinces me that this future night, magnificent and new,

Lies in wait just beyond my dim skies at home,

And he does it all with a soft hello!

How was your day?

He makes me search the cloudy nights for

A moment off in the distance

When, with a salutatory smile,

I think he might just open heaven.

Author's Note

Alternate Title: How Many Synonyms Exist For "Night" and "Sky"?

I unearthed this piece from my just-before-university days and copied it here. If nothing else, it reminded me of that rare, special kind of joy that comes from being young. I wish, for a moment, the same feeling for you.

As always, constructive feedback is welcome!

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

There is clear true light in our world, but you cannot find it where artificial light blinds many... time when a brilliant sight of the sky blinds your eyes....here in the Appalachian Mountains, one can just about step out the door and look up to twinkling stars, especially the North Star with no obstruction, and adore the moon in its various stages...your poem speaks to this and more... the meeting between the two seems to have set off a spark and the word choice to show us the importance of both is excellent.
Best, Betty

[Miss Sharon]

I just love this write! I do a lot of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and I can relate to your poem with delight. Thank you! ~Sharon

[Alice Miller]

So glad we got to share a connection through words!

-AM

[William Michael Reeves]

Excellent subject. I wish you had examined the difference between the city sky and that out in the wild more. I was anticipating some description of how absolutely amazing the real sky looks at night. I live in a big city and have to travel far to find it. I felt a little disappointed by the end ... when I didn't get what I want. (Poor baby me)

Billigami

[Alice Miller]

In retrospect, I wish the same. At that point, I hadn't gone on that promised hike just yet, and the wild night sky (I love that little string of words you've inadvertently gifted me) was beyond my imagination. Granted, a poet's job is to capture wonders beyond what they've seen... Thank you kindly for all the thoughtful feedback. I'm going through all the pieces now, and I appreciate the time and care, writer to writer.

(Without a poem to put it in, that wild night sky is beautiful. Maybe I'll sprinkle some worthwhile words into it someday.)

-AVM

[JE Falcon]

Too true, as always, those moments of younger times seem to nestle their way into "Remember Me" places.
This was a gently flowing dialog that did bring back some thoughts of my own. Thanks.