As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the current state of the universe as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. 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 41. It was a dead ringer for a whale spouting. After that, I sought NGC 4499 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6189 in Ophiuchus. It appeared at low power like desert sand. Next, I hunted Abell 44. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located NGC 5995. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed Abell 67. It seemed almost all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 3627. It somewhat resembled whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I had a chance to see M 104. It was a blurry likeness of a swarm of bees. After that, I logged NGC 833 in Hydra. It was better than cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I stumbled upon B 529 in Serpens. It looked uncannily like the eye of God. Then, I looked at NGC 6649. It seemed just like nothing I'd ever seen before.
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.