There is something beautiful in the fact that the mystery itself fades, while the shared moment remains. In the end, it was never really about understanding what crossed the sky. It was about two people looking up together. Sometimes memory keeps the presence and lets the explanation disappear.
Yes, the sweet bird of youth flew off with that mysterious light that night. It's strange, my friend and I still catch up and talk about that night. When we first see each other though, at our age, mid-fifties, there is almost a shock at seeing how old the other looks. Our memories are young though and we both have vivid imaginations. He's a writer too, a playwright.
Beautiful, Damian! Recalling many nights camping under the stars. Some felt so close you could touch them. Montana stars seem so much nearer than anywhere I've been. It was always amazing to me that the same stars were likely hanging just where they were for humans long, long before me.
I saw so many strange things in the NT.... The whole place is mad. Or at least, it was.
However - if you mean by that UFO's - the answer is sadly no. (At least - not that I recall).
A few years ago I came across someone who claims that the highest peak in the NT - Mt Zeil ( Urlatherrke ) contains a secret underground alien base of the "tall whites."
Having climbed Urlatherrke myself, in a madly ill advised but enormously fun solo single day return journey, I found that hilarious.
I have no doubt, however, that there are things happening that have no standard explanation, so I did find your post genuinely interesting.
I like that my friend and I's UFO is quite understated and boring. Just a little light crossing the sky, that did an unusual thing.
Yes, I think I have read one of your earlier articles where you write about a solo hike up a mountain in northern territory. Such wonderful experiences you had there. Our planet is interesting enough, why on earth do we need to amuse ourselves with conspiracy theories? As writers we need to help people to fall in love with reality again.
Thanks. It's romantic in a dark sense. I wanted the poem to have multiple dimensions or angles. One dimension is about mortality, human transience and all that. A kind of 21st century graveyard poem. I have a feeling it came across a bit warmer though, which is okay.
Those were the days when we could watch the night sky in awe and in the mystery. I love this. Sparse yet warm and evocative of an age that feels long gone.
Yes. My poetry is becoming a lot more stripped down. Also, I am glad it came across as warm. I was just saying to Moty, above that one angle I took with the poem reflecting on my friend and I, in the poem, being young, but we have our own mortality to look forward to. It sounds a bit morbid, but it's not. The friend in question, has a series heart condition he is going through getting treated, fixed. I sent him the poem, I haven't heard back from him yet to hear what he thinks about it. We have been talking recently about the UFO we saw that night, which inspired me getting started on the poem.
There is something beautiful in the fact that the mystery itself fades, while the shared moment remains. In the end, it was never really about understanding what crossed the sky. It was about two people looking up together. Sometimes memory keeps the presence and lets the explanation disappear.
Yes, the sweet bird of youth flew off with that mysterious light that night. It's strange, my friend and I still catch up and talk about that night. When we first see each other though, at our age, mid-fifties, there is almost a shock at seeing how old the other looks. Our memories are young though and we both have vivid imaginations. He's a writer too, a playwright.
This is lovely, and it reminded me of the first time I saw the Milky Way on a camping trip in northern Michigan. It was magical, so thank you.
Thank-you, Lev. I imagine northern Michigan is well away from city lights. It's hard to find a place like that these days.
Beautiful.
Thank-you.
What a lovely poem! I especially liked this part 😍
"Down the hill
the drive-in screen
glowed a love story
into far off
backyards and fences."
Thanks. Yes, my town had an old drive-in cinema, not far from where we were camped.
Damien, I love lying on the ground in our backyard on cool evenings with my grandson looking up at the sky. His innocence, and the beauty of it all.
Yes. I do the same thing sometimes too with my son. We sometimes use binoculars which means you can almost see supernovas.
Beautiful, Damian! Recalling many nights camping under the stars. Some felt so close you could touch them. Montana stars seem so much nearer than anywhere I've been. It was always amazing to me that the same stars were likely hanging just where they were for humans long, long before me.
Many blessings and MUCH LOVE! ~Wendy💜
Yes. That's a beautiful thought Wendy. To think about how the night sky remains the same despite all the satellites and our hubris.
I think what you saw was a Poem - taking off......
D :)
We don't know what it was. We thought we were watching a little satellite and then it seemed to do a circle and shoot off into space.
Did you ever see anything strange when you lived in N.T?
hahahahahahahahahah!!!!
omg, Damian!
I saw so many strange things in the NT.... The whole place is mad. Or at least, it was.
However - if you mean by that UFO's - the answer is sadly no. (At least - not that I recall).
A few years ago I came across someone who claims that the highest peak in the NT - Mt Zeil ( Urlatherrke ) contains a secret underground alien base of the "tall whites."
Having climbed Urlatherrke myself, in a madly ill advised but enormously fun solo single day return journey, I found that hilarious.
I have no doubt, however, that there are things happening that have no standard explanation, so I did find your post genuinely interesting.
Best Wishes - Dave :)
I like that my friend and I's UFO is quite understated and boring. Just a little light crossing the sky, that did an unusual thing.
Yes, I think I have read one of your earlier articles where you write about a solo hike up a mountain in northern territory. Such wonderful experiences you had there. Our planet is interesting enough, why on earth do we need to amuse ourselves with conspiracy theories? As writers we need to help people to fall in love with reality again.
“endless night with you” - oh the romantic in you just rang a bell Damien. Beauty x
Thanks. It's romantic in a dark sense. I wanted the poem to have multiple dimensions or angles. One dimension is about mortality, human transience and all that. A kind of 21st century graveyard poem. I have a feeling it came across a bit warmer though, which is okay.
Those were the days when we could watch the night sky in awe and in the mystery. I love this. Sparse yet warm and evocative of an age that feels long gone.
Yes. My poetry is becoming a lot more stripped down. Also, I am glad it came across as warm. I was just saying to Moty, above that one angle I took with the poem reflecting on my friend and I, in the poem, being young, but we have our own mortality to look forward to. It sounds a bit morbid, but it's not. The friend in question, has a series heart condition he is going through getting treated, fixed. I sent him the poem, I haven't heard back from him yet to hear what he thinks about it. We have been talking recently about the UFO we saw that night, which inspired me getting started on the poem.
Beautiful ✨💗
so so so beautiful! Finally the algorithm delivering >long posts< of new poets in my timeline! Loved that. <3
Thank-you Izabella, yes the substack algorithm works in mysterious. I am glad the poem found you.
One of my favourites
Thanks Rachelle. I am glad you liked it. Have you written anything lately?
simply gorgeous!
Thanks Ray. Thanks for reading.
Beautiful story poem, Damien!
Thank-you Karen. Thanks so much for reading. It's a true story too, as much as a poem like that can be.
Thanks, Damian. The other thung that strikes me how this poem really leaves a memory. Really moved by it.