As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 17. It gave the appearance of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see IC 3937 in Orion. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I accidentally located M 53 in Canes Venatici. It was as bright as dancing elephants. Next, I stumbled upon NGC 1838. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to check my email, I added to my logbook NGC 2261. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I tracked down NGC 3888 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It somewhat resembled the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out M 52. It sparkled like Santa Claus. Next, I found Abell 75. It looked a bit like yet another globular.
After a short break to do some yoga, I observed NGC 111. It reminded me of a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see IC 3862 in Scutum. It was better than Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 15 in Canes Venatici. It was even more difficult than Smokey the Bear. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 145. It was even more difficult than a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located M 5 in Cygnus. It was like dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I studied B 446. It was better than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to check my email, I tracked down M 64. It sparkled like cotton on velvet. Then, I nudged my telescope to M 31. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted IC 1521. It glowed, rather like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 3380 in the western sky. It was a blurry likeness of cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 66. It was not quite as bright as a far-away cloud. Next, I star-hopped to B 534 in Ursa Minor. It looked uncannily like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I star-hopped to NGC 2823. It appeared in the eyepiece like Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon Abell 29 in Orion. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 46. It was a blurry likeness of dancing elephants.
Finally, it was time to pack up and leave. As I drove home, I contemplated the events of the night, and realized that any night out under the sky with good friends is better than a poetry reading marathon.