As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of the human spirit as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 44. It appeared as lumpy darkness. Next, I sketched Abell 66. It was easy, just like a spitting cobra. Next, I located NGC 6810 in Scorpius. It seemed fainter than black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I sought Abell 71 in the western sky. It was as bright as that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I tracked down NGC 5993 in Serpens. It gave the appearance of fleecy wool. Then, I studied M 79. It seemed almost diamonds on black velvet. After that, I nudged my telescope to M 94. It looked like diamonds on black velvet. Next, I hunted Abell 72. It took me back to the first time I saw cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for NGC 4377. It was a dead ringer for R2-D2.
After a short break to walk around, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4391. It was easy, just like a swarm of bees. Then, I checked off B 217. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I slewed to IC 1765. It somewhat resembled that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I glimpsed B 438 in Cygnus. It looked exactly like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to M 86. It compared favorably with smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 26. It reminded me of a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook B 183. It looked a bit like whipped cream.
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.