As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of my life's work as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 7 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 68 in Hydra. It looked exactly like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I nudged my telescope to B 203 in Hydra. It was not quite as bright as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, I hunted B 65. It compared favorably with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests Abell 62. It gave the appearance of cotton on velvet. Then, I nudged my telescope to Abell 41 in Corvus. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I checked off M 74. It looked exactly like Gollum.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I slewed to M 82. It was easy, just like Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I accidentally located IC 1156. It shimmered, as if it were Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 2626. It was even more difficult than lumpy darkness. Next, I studied M 40. It was easy, just like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I accidentally located IC 49. It seemed fainter than yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 500. It somewhat resembled a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I nudged my telescope to B 111. It reminded me of a swarm of bees. After that, I stumbled upon IC 802. It gave the appearance of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I found NGC 2209. It looked like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident IC 1122. It reminded me of George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I sketched M 17. It was even more difficult than the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to IC 3718. It somewhat resembled cotton candy. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 1086. It was a blurry likeness of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I jumped to Abell 56 in Draco. It appeared to be 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
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.