A Night to Remember

It was a clear night. I stood under the endless sky, my eyes fixed steadily on the moon. Everything was quiet around me. Nothing was heard, save for the rustling of the leaves in the cool evening breeze. Even the crickets were silent. I held my breath as it happened.

It came slowly...that Shadow. Like a dark blanket, wrapping itself smoothly around that great golden bubble in the sky. Ever so slowly, it crept across the glowing surface, covering each crater, each rock, each lunar particle. Then there was blackness. As if the moon had never existed. I can see how such a heavenly phenomenon caused such panic among the men of ancient days. It looked as if some forboding element had swallowed up that beautiful jewel in the sky. Around that black hole, the stars continued to twinkle. Maybe they were giggling at the fate of the poor moon. One of stars lost her balance and fell down, shooting straight across the sky into nothingness. I wanted to make a wish, but I was lost for words. I had lost my breath. I thought I would lose reality too. The night made me feel like I had stepped into a different world altogether. There was nothing to mar its beauty. No noise, no anxieties, no presence of an unwanted being. There was just me and the sky.

 Then suddenly, the blackness lightened. And the moon became an eerie reddish-orange color; like a blood-stained orange globe, enveloped in black and grey. Clouds teased and caressed it as they danced around in their silver tresses. Then ever so slowly, ever so smoothly, the Shadow released its hold and eased away.... it was as if it was giving birth to a new moon. It moved, it slid, it let go. Until the moon was alone in the sky once more. If it had a face, I think the moon would be smiling. Then it closed its eyes and waited for the sun.

I sighed. The magic was over. But it will remain with me for the rest of my days. I went to bed at 4AM, thanking the God who designed such a beautiful sky. And every time I look up, I smile. Knowing that the heavens will always be there.