As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the current state of underwater basket weaving 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 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 28. It looked exactly like Santa Claus. After that, I slewed to NGC 1199. It looked uncannily like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 41. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I nudged my telescope to Abell 96. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for Abell 88. It seemed almost the invisible man. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 57 in Lepus. It was a dead ringer for a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 90. It seemed fainter than 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at IC 1835. It looked exactly like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I sought M 44 in Lynx. It somewhat resembled cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at IC 892. It appeared to be that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 3943 in Scorpius. It gave the appearance of cotton candy.
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.