Aurora
As I Remember It
On a lonely highway
In the dark of the small hours of morning,
Wearily, we pushed on.
*
We had overstayed.
The shortcut had been riddled with detours.
Home was miles away, and work came early.
*
I thought I'd imagined it.
In the northern sky, a bright, yellow lance shot skyward
And faded into nothingness.
*
A second beam came,
Then a third, and another, from below the flat horizon,
A scintillating, amber wave, repeating.
*
Time and space had aligned,
There, at the intersection of nowhere and the void,
To provide a private showing.
*
Sleep would wait.
Beside the road, we gazed, your head on my shoulder,
Until the dance was over.
*
It lives in my memory, still,
Not just a relic of a love that ran dry,
But a timeless gift from the Universe.
***
This was the most unique view of the Northen Lights I've ever had, while driving home at 3AM on Wyoming Highway 20/26, from a camping and fishing trip with my (now) ex-wife. It was as if parallel searchlights were being switched on and off below the horizon. I've seen amazing displays in other places, but this one was surreal.
This is my first entry for the Vocal Summer Challenge below:
About the Creator
Dana Crandell
Dad, Stepdad, Grandpa, Husband, lover of Nature and dogs.
Poet, Writer, Editor, Photographer, Artist and Tech/Internet nerd.
My first published poetry collection: Life, Love & Ludicrosity
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Keep reading
More stories from Dana Crandell and writers in Poets and other communities.
Homeward
Goodbyes scar our hearts But home calls and we answer Healing will follow *** Pam and I are a little more than a month away from leaving Texas and heading back to Wyoming. Leaving family here behind is hard, but grandchildren and new adventures in familiar, loved places await.
By Dana Crandell7 months ago in Poets
Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
By LUCCIAN LAYTH5 days ago in Critique
Comments (17)
Loved your poem… I sure wish I saw that impressive light display. Maybe one day, but highly unlikely for me!🥹
Gorgeous Dana! Descriptive language is excellent!
What a fantastic memory to anchor a poem! Very well wrought, Dana!
Great memory and great writing- congratulations on your top story.
Never have I seen an Aurora personally but it is something on my bucket list for sure. I'm glad you got the experience.
I have always wanted to see the Aurora, being a Singaporean who bakes in the heat! Congrats on a colourful TS!
This is stunning, Dana! Oh, what a sight that must have been. I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights :)
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
How enlightening Old Bud - Was just talking to our bud, Kristen, as to how she's trying to get used to all of the changes. She also can't get used to days lasting until midnight..! Enjoy the show..! - Best, J-Bud -
Those last two lines really color the rest, adding a new layer. Well done
Glad to see this rocking up on the Top Stories page. Well done, sir!
congratulations on TS. this is beautiful. What a wonderful painted image you've planted in my brain. I hope one day to go back to Alaska and wish to see those lights.
I love this! It sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime never to be repeated kinda experience! Perfect response to that challenge - I am sure this will place. Great reading new poetry from you, my friend! You really made the moment and the surrealism of it come to life with your words!
I can imagine what a spectacular sight that would have been. Loved your poem!
What a trip! Definitely a sight to remember, and you describe it beautifully.
Simply lovely, Dana.
Wow, what an experience! And the simple way you told this directed all the attention to the beauty of the moment :)