When we electrified the night
We forfeited the Wonder
And
Mystery of the stars
Where, in years gone by
We could lie on our backs
On a warm summer’s night
And gaze at a multitude of celestial bodies
In amazement
We are now hard pressed
To find sky dark enough
To see even a few
Scientists call this Noctalgia
"Sky Grief"
Sadness at the loss of dark skies
-
Author:
Bella Shepard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: November 12th, 2023 14:04
- Comment from author about the poem: I get up every morning at 5:15 for my walk, while the stars are still visible, and I am in awe. It saddens me to think that children and adults of today, and more so in the future, will never see the night sky as it should be, full sky full of stars. I feel compelled to include the following:\r\n\\\" A 2021 report from NPR said that 99% of people in the U.S. and Europe live under light-polluted skies. It also said that 80% of people in North America can’t see the Milky Way from where they live. We are witnessing loss of heritage, place-based language, identity, storytelling, millennia-old sky traditions and our ability to conduct traditional practices grounded in the ecological integrity of what we call home. … As most cyclical indicators involving migratory birds/animals, weather patterns, pollinators and native plants are increasingly altered with climate change, the skies effectively represent a last stand of heritage, calendaring, language and food sovereignty for many global communities\\\".
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 23
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15, Accidental Poet, Qurrathul Ain.
Offline)
Comments8
A fine write B.
A comedy programme said 'The nights are dark - they usually are!'
Maybe not so dark now?
Thanks Orchi, make a wish on the first star you see tonight, and I'll wish on mine. Take care my friend!
Fantastic imagery. Great write.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, greatly appreciated!
Incredibly beautiful and your meaning is sad yet honest. Although I myself am priveliaged to live in the heart of Tuscany where sunrise and sunsets and shooting stars and looking up in the dead of night still comes alive with star shows I do remember living in London and barely ever seeing a thing. Gorgeous poetry dearest Bella. 🩷
Dearest Teddy, you understand so well. Thank you for your wonderful comment. I am so glad that you have the experience of the celestial, especially shooting stars. The International Dark Sky Association had designated a number of our national parks as Dark Sky Viewing. We plan to make our next vacation a Night Sky destination. Take care Dear Heart, and make a wish on a shooting star.
Excellent write Bella. It reminds me of a line in the movie "2001 A Space Odyssey" of "It's full of stars".
Thank you so much my friend! I remember seeing 2001 A Space Odyssey in 1968 at a cinerama with a huge screen, never to be forgotten. It was beautiful and accurate.
Yes, one of my favorite science fiction movies. A bit ahead of its time though. But that's what Sci-fi is all about right? 🚀
1 more comment
Such true words Bella, it is so wonderful to go to places where you can see the stars in their glory.
Andy
Thank you Andy, so true. Thankfully our National Parks are offering night sky viewing events which we plan to take atvantage of. Take care my friend, and wish upon a star.
Awwww this is beautifully sad!!! Bravo Bella!!!! 👏
Thank you my dear for this sweet comment. "Beautifully sad", I love it.
Beauty filled to the point of overflowing with man made sadness .. how many more planets do we have to f*** up before mankind eventually sees the light and the error of his ways .. this is an incredibly moving poem Bella .. I just wanted to get that off my chest and be sure you know I got here eventually ..
Your loyal fan, little old ME .. N
My dearest Nev, I share so much with you in this comment. How can we people educate people about the wonderful science of our universe, when they can't even see it's reality in our own solar system. We don't save our species by migrating to another planet and doing the same old, we do it by empowering people with knowledge, and cooperating in saving the beautiful world we already have. There, now I've got that off my chest. I love your comment, I always love your comments. Take care my dear, dear friend, and keep looking to the stars!
I thank heaven & the stars we are both on the same side Bella .. and you are much more than merely welcome .. Neville
I am so feeling this and have experienced it myself. I remember as a youth camping and being able to see a sky full of stars. Latter I went up into the mountains of Brazil and saw stars like I have only seen in movies a sky that could only be described as a colander or better yet a strainer with a light behind it. I miss this. Great write Bella
It fills me with such happiness to read your comment, I can feel the love you have for the experience. Thank you so much, you made my day!
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