Earth, Wind, and Sky

Without light pollution a multitude of stars were splashed across the night sky. Planets were also visible: Venus, Mars, Saturn. Out at the makeshift observatory, telescopes that were powerful enough allowed us to get a glimpse of these neighboring planets so gracefully placed in our Solar System. They beckon us to come explore. The night air filled our nostrils as we gazed at the stars and perhaps even caught sight of particles entering the earth’s atmosphere in the form of a shooting star. The wind picked up as a storm approached. We made our way to our campsite.

From our site, the darkness enveloped the space around us until lightning broke the darkness. It danced about the clouds illuminating the edges. Bolts streaked across the sky and reach like long fingers to touch the earth. The trees were in silhouette as though the sun had reemerged, peaking its way above the horizon. The lake laid quietly in the darkness, flat as glass. The only indication it was there was the reflection of lightning displayed upon its surface.

Into the wee hours of the morning the lightning continued its array. Frogs and insects orchestrated the symphony of sound to accompany it. We could hear the rain as it hit the objects around us. It softly thudded against the ground, wood, structures, etc. It made everything smell damp and fresh. By morning light all had subsided. The lightning, wind, and rain had continued onward, making way for the new day.