After nights and nights of cloud-filled skies,

it’s about time. Tonight the sky is finally clear and filled from horizon to horizon with stars, like a great, universe-filled snow globe. The clouds are all tucked away at last.

It’s like the stars are applauding our patience for waiting to see winter’s icy breath finally clear the air to see the show. Now. It’s their time to shine.

They look alive. Dancing, sparkling, shimmering and ancient. Even appearing to breathe with red, crystal blue and silver breath. As I look intently into the dense velvet darkness, another star appears, then another. Where were they just a moment ago before I looked in their direction?

Instead of miraculously appearing, some stars scatter away shyly as I lock my eyes on theirs. Some look so close I think I can feel them like the tingle on my hand from a sparkler on the 4th of July.

The earth’s old moon, almost full, is standing proud guard over his twinkling children all stretched out across the sky. His own brilliant light permeates the atmosphere to give them their guidance system. The moon’s Lesser Light seems the Greater from my vantage point as I shiver on the deck tonight, but it is worth the shiver. I’m partial to the old guy.

If you know, you know…

Now that I’m snug under my blankets in bed instead of on the deck, I’m hoping my friend Moon will wake me in time to see him glowing through my bedroom window, hovering just over the western horizon…

You know, before Dawn insists he and all his star-children go to bed.