In the Shadow

The path of the moon
As it travels across 
The life-sustaining
gaseous orb
is riveting
as the black arch
cuts away the edge 
of the orange globe
then, like molasses on a cold winter day
it travels on
until totally obscuring the Sun
Mid-day brilliance turns to dusk
Hats are donned
Jackets pulled close
As the mercury plunges

There is mystery here
Causing silence amongst
Those gathering in this nest
In the woods
Random strangers
Together gazing upward
At a wide expanse of sky
It feels as if 
This is our own private show

The Sun
Blocked now in its entirety
Continues to illuminate
From its celestial space
It radiates a mystical peace 
Upon our earthen home
The forest animals
Howl, roar, yap, grunt, bark
Their approval
Or is it their fear
As the moon accomplishes
Its travel to create
Totality
While the domestic dogs
Present in our space
Are silent, one and all

The Sun
Blocked in its entirety
Continues to shed light
Upon our nest in the forest
Sharing its jacket of gases
The atmosphere we cannot see
Hidden as it normally is
 By the Sun’s brilliance
Is now the central player

The corona radiates
 its light out to our world
The mountains and valleys of the moon
Add to the display
As they permit a sparkling red gem
To shine through creating
A Baily Bead
A diamond ring of infinite carats
Shines for all to briefly appreciate
Before we must don once again
Our protective eyewear

There is something 
In this experience
Which penetrates my being
And establishes residence
Deep within
Naming it 
Would be tantamount to taming it
Beauty, awe
These words do it no justice
It is beyond even a reverence
A hope
An expansive, open feeling
Deep within
A joy
An awareness
Of how small we truly are
Of how much more exists 
Beyond our ken.