Traveler’s Guide to Stargazing
by Rhye Nelson
Lights Off rule #1
All of them. Your fear of the dark might not go away…
That’s okay, but you won’t need light.
Not here. Not now.
Sit Down rule #2
Not really a rule, merely a suggestion.
—one that I recommend
—it’s better to lay down. It’s comforting.
But now—
Hold Still rule #3
They can detect movement. That’s a joke,
but they show up faster if you
hold your breath.
Don’t—
Don’t Breathe rule #4
They’ll steal your oxygen from your lungs.
Do be careful.
Don’t let it go.
It’s the one thing you own right now.
Just make sure you—
Watch rule #5
They are sneaky, be patient before they warm up to you.
Little suns need time to burn brighter
So do you.
They are shy at first. The boldest one isn’t the brightest
she doesn’t move. Her name is Polaris, guardian and guide.
Know Their Names rule #6
Sirius is brightest they will stare back at you.
Betelgeuse, with flaming red hair helped a great warrior
Arcturus, a sheep of the shepherd in the sky
They dance before you every night.
Know the names of the stories they write.
Great legends amidst darkness.
Beware The Clouds rule #7
The sisters of the sky love the heavens as much as you.
Friendly, but bluntly oblivious. It’s best if you move around the schedule of the sisters.
They dance with the night sky.
Performance of the stars
Stay. rule #8
Stay. Put.
The stars perform a new song every night of love and tragedy and beauty.
Don’t miss a single differing moment here or there
or traveling below.
A new tale every evening for all,
should you have the patience to turn the—