No one would sleep that night, of course

Posted on by Live & Learn

stars

“Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would create new religions overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God. Instead, the stars come out every night and we watch television.”

– Paul Hawken

Credits: Photograph – NatGeo first place Best Travel Picture Winner in 2011. Ben Canales sprawls in the snow under the starry sky above Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Quote: Thepoetoaster.com

34 thoughts on “No one would sleep that night, of course”

  4. This resonates deeply with me, as I enjoy “moments of rapture” on a regular basis when taking the dogs out for their first ablutions of the day at 3:30 or 4. Many’s the morning when I glance up and the breath catches in my throat as I gaze at the firmament. It’s a treasured time for me…..

    1. And for me…and that said, if I was deprived of my morning’s moment with the stars, I would feel truly bereft. I can marvel when they’re hidden by clouds, for I know they are still there. But to not see them for an eternity? I can’t imagine..

  6. when i was in australia this summer, the kids and i took blankets outside at night and had a ‘star club’ where we just laid there and watched and listened, under the southern cross and all of the other glittering wonders above. it was bonding on a whole other level.

  9. Last night, as I was about to go to bed, I looked at the moon. It was magical! It was glowing an orangey color and only the bottom 2/3 were visible and the ocean was illuminated underneath. I went outside onto the balcony and saw bright stars, watched the moon and listened to the ocean waves. I was completely gobsmacked. There is so much beauty around us, thanks for reminding us to appreciate it, David.

  10. Reblogged this on THE STRATEGIC LEARNER and commented:
    This one made me think of an old short science fiction story, where a clear view of all the stars visible from the planet (not earth) only appeared once in a great while (thousands of years) … and the sight would always destroy civilization, which would have to begin anew from the ashes. I’m guessing Isaac Asimov here, but do not have time to Google-check my memory.

    Whatever, as a metro dweller who grew up in the country, I recognize the power of a clear and starlit night … and miss it terribly. As Dee and Kay say
    ” They’re beautiful, aren’t they?
    What?
    The stars.
    We never just look anymore.”
    (Men in Black, 1997)

    Wishing it were nighttime in the Heartland ….

    John

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