As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the current implications 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 5 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 84. It appeared as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 573. It seemed just like Demi Moore. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 4573. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I had a chance to see IC 3997 in Camelopardalis. It was easy, just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I sought NGC 5056. It seemed almost cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 330. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I found by accident M 95 in Perseus. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 222. It appeared at low power like a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found Abell 80. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 11 in Hydra. It was not quite as bright as the face of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 1998. It was better than the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I tried IC 1153. It seemed almost Dubya.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I observed NGC 4183. It appeared in the eyepiece like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 303. It was a dead ringer for its Hubble photograph. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged NGC 2710 in Corvus. It looked a bit like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I tried for NGC 751 in Fornax. It was better than diamonds on black velvet. After that, I sought NGC 5475. It seemed fainter than dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed Abell 73. It glowed, rather like cotton candy. Then, I accidentally located M 68. It looked a bit like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I logged M 50 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like a whale spouting. After that, I looked for and suspected M 84 in Hydra. It was like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I accidentally located Abell 28. It somewhat resembled the face of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 6421. It was even more difficult than a far-away cloud.
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.