Lincoln
Hills Astronomy Group
Poems by Jim Fulcomer
The Moment of Totality
We all waited so impatiently for
the moment of totality
as shadows swept across the land with tiny crescents on
the sand.
Two splendid minutes were allowed to share the rapture
with the crowd.
And when that magic moment came, as Lunar mass concealed
the flame
and bright day became a sudden night, with mortals left in
sheer delight.
Some cheered, but most in silence gazed at the whole in
space and were amazed.
by the Corona's pale and shimmery ring. It truly was an
awesome thing.
Venus showed herself demure, in sudden darkness, twilight
pure.
All eyes transfixed as hypnotized by the silent drama in
the skies.
Too soon the wondrous show was gone. Day broke again, both
cool and wan.
Then as the Sun reclaimed his power, the magic gone in
just an hour.
The crowds assembled headed out, satisfied without a
doubt.
How fortunate were those who came, to see the ghostly ring
of flame
above the precise lunar path, which hid the raging solar
wrath.
For most, it was the first and last. A spectacle which
sped too fast.
None of us left unimpressed, but thankful that our noble
quest
had rewarded us so well, as pure science cast it's spell.