Lori told me it was coming, the Perseid meteor shower. I hadn’t seen one during the peak viewing period from Aug 11 to 13th, but I was on the look out this morning.
And why Great One, why shower me with hundreds, when One will do?
And One there was, streaking downward from the wispy clouds, quicker than a finger snap, much too quick for my clumsy hands and human technology, but the eye spotted it.
And here I sit typing this post recalling a passage from Sebastian Barry’s Old God’s Time: “My brain continued to tell a story disconnected from his waking self…one hundred trillion neutrinos passed through his body every second. You wrote something down to see it, see it all for the first time. Write it down to capture it…Neutrinos passed them also, trillions of them…on their way to the floor, into the earth and through the earth herself at nearly the speed of light. They passed through his tumbling mind, all its channels and sparks…they passed through his fingers…”
And so with me.
My trillions of neutrinos wrapping themselves around that split second flash.
Hold that thought. Wrap yourself around it and hold it tight.
I will remember this.
Notes:
- See other photos from this morning’s walk here, my 1,196th consecutive (almost) daybreak walk at Cove Island Park. Like in a row.
- Post inspired by:..the great meteor shower of August, the Perseid, I wail all day for the shooting stars I miss. They’re out there showering down…and hissing perhaps at last into the ocean. — Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
how very lucky
Agree with that Beth.
I’ve gone out into the country to watch this annual meteor spectacle, something easy to do since I live in an area where night shows of this sort are possible where light pollution is scant. Nothing like spotting the Milky Way to put you in your tiny, insignificant place! The Perseid meteor shower is great fun, too, just one of those sky events everyone should experience.
“Nothing like spotting the Milky Way to put you in your tiny, insignificant place!”
God Yes, Doug! So True.
I never cease to be overwhelmed by that sight. Just the idea that the lights I see in the sky are part of where I am, if on the periphery, and that nothing we can create on earth could reach any of those lights within the lifetime of earth, let alone each of us is unreal.
Beautifully described Doug. Yes!
!!!
i’m not familiar with this but i wonder: am i NOT just looking at a fancy sky with fancy little cloudlets? in any case, your ‘story’ is compelling and very beautiful. thank you. it’s ‘grand’ that you can admit that there is so much we little humans cannot grasp nor understand but we can stand in wonderment and awe. this surely was such a moment.
You are so on point Kiki. That sky, those clouds, that moment with sky and clouds was magical in its own right. Then came the meteor. Magic on Magic.
One will do. Wonderful, in the true sense of that word.
One will Do. Yes! Thank you Laila!
Thank you! Your experience gives me vicarious pleasure…and imagination gives us great gifts!
Lucky Doug Thomas…
Agree! Thank you Valerie!
These moments – gone in the slow wink of an eye – you were offered one magical display. Another sacred moment, I think
I agree!!!
I’m so glad you had the thrill of witnessing a meteor!!! I look forward to watching the night sky, every night though I always look forward to the Perseid meteor shower for three nights every August…Last night the sky was overcast but I still glanced out the bathroom window to the East in the middle of the night, hoping.
We woke up to a deposit of Ash, a bit breezy, an unusual yellow type colored light & the orb of the Sun was glowing bright red…the fires continue – the forecast no clear sky for night viewing… darn. Currently 103, not sure if will make it to 110 as forecasted “”Model guidance suggest areas from xxxxx to xxxxxxx could reach 108 to
110 deg today. Not sold, but yes, could be close. For now, will keep
highs in those areas closer to 106 to 108”
Twice I have witnessed meteors big enough and close enough that I actually heard them sizzle 10 seconds after they passed. Both times I was alerted to their presence by the shadow their light cast
And both times I was up late in the middle of the night, in the doghouse with my ex wife, following her instructions and “thinking it over”.
American Indians say that a Meteor is a sign of bad times to come.
We all have our Meteors I suppose.
Wow. Hear them whistling by. That’s Something.
Glad you were graced with one, pal. I dutifully got up at 3a the morning of the 13th to see what I could see, but alas some sketchy cloud cover here in Florida out a damper on the viewing party. Nevertheless, I, too, was blessed with one bright light streaking across the sky. Felt as though the universe were giving me a little wink. A sort of ‘We see you,’ kinda think. Pure magic.
Awww. So good Lori.
A magical time!
Sure is!
I wrote this days ago…I’m so glad you had the thrill of witnessing a meteor!!! I look forward to watching the night sky, every night though I always look forward to the Perseid meteor shower for three nights every August…Last night the sky was overcast but I still glanced out the bathroom window to the East in the middle of the night, hoping.
We woke up to a deposit of Ash, a bit breezy, an unusual yellow type colored light & the orb of the Sun was glowing bright red…The Fires Continue – the forecast no clear sky for night viewing… darn. Currently 103, could reach 108 <<< it did. We've had a hot summer – we usually don't.
Ash instead of meteors. So sad.
Strange thought, but this is why I took so few photos of my girls growing up. I wanted to participate in each moment. Cameras take me away from that. And so I’ve taken yet another break from social media, in order to focus on what is in front of me withOut the lens. Glad you saw the meteor shower! 🙂
Good for you Bela!