I saw the Milky Way
on the path to our room under
the dark skies of East Africa
an arc
so difficult to see
when home
with the light pollution of
streetlights
porch lights and car headlights
sports courts and shopping centers
backyard decorative lights
so cozy, those
disruptive Edison bulbs
blinding the night sky views
~~
dark skies reveal
what one cannot see
under the glittering lights
of safe streets, and
birds can fly their routes in
safety, in the darkness
that humans want to obliterate
Copyright © 12/26/2025 by Andrea O. Corwin
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About the Creator
Andrea Corwin
🐘Wildlife 🌳 Environment 🥋3rd° See nature through my eyes
Poetry, fiction, horror, life experiences, and author photos. Written without A.I. © Andrea O. Corwin
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Comments (9)
I have for the most parts lived in the country and Have scanned the night sky from time to time and it's a glorious thing.
Andrea I love the night sky, it is like the stars are talking to you, and perhaps hiding secrets. I never noticed it when I was younger, but as I grew older, the sky is a marvel anytime.
This poem is so thoughtful. You did a great job showing how much we miss when the sky is too bright! I love how you talked about the birds flying safely in the dark. The "arc" of the Milky Way is a very cool image to think about.
Well-wrought! Another daily reminder of why I so badly want to get out of the city!
I always marvel at the night sky when I see it. Hawai'i is a great place for it. It literally made me gasp.
Great image and I love being away from the streetlight pollution
That last line is the bitter truth 🥺
Wow, that is one breathtaking picture and a wonderful poem, Andi! The best unpolluted sky I saw in my life outside of my home country was in Cusco, Peru, and here in Svaneti, Georgia. Once you get to the mountains high enough where there are no villages and roads, the sky is spectacular.
So, I detest the reckless holiday lights, Andrea. We are totally ignoring the need of other creatures.