As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of my life's work as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 16. It looked like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for NGC 468. It looked exactly like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I tried for IC 3076. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. Next, I tried Abell 12 in Serpens. It appeared in the eyepiece like dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to NGC 2577 in Sagittarius. It was better than desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at B 220. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to IC 2210. It seemed most like the face of God.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I stumbled upon Abell 45. It would be easy to confuse with cotton on velvet. After that, I hunted B 164. It compared favorably with two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I found by accident IC 1435. It seemed most like cotton candy. Then, I tracked down Abell 94 in Ursa Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I observed M 3 in Virgo. It was a blurry likeness of Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I sought M 4. It glowed, rather like the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed B 358 in Orion. It appeared as a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 70 in Antlia. It appeared in the eyepiece like desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at M 56. It shimmered, as if it were a spider. After that, I identified M 9 in Antlia. It glowed, rather like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I sought Abell 50. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. After that, I found by accident M 98. It reminded me of Dubya.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.