Monday, July 26, 2010

Full Moon Risen

I promised myself that I would drive into the lonely desert, lie beneath a carpet of stars and lose myself into the universe. I wanted to fall into the spaces in between and find myself renewed, invigorated and inspired with a clarity I have known only a few times in my life.

I hadn’t counted on the full moon usurping the sky and taking the night hostage. I had wanted to see a shooting star streak across the sky and grant me a wish. I never saw the shooting star, I never made my wish.

Instead, I crawled across unknown roads, lit only by shadows and pale, silver moonlight. I glided into the side of the road and turned off all the lights in my car, lest I disturb whatever nocturnal fauna may be about.


Then I gazed in wide astonishment at the pale silver light that bathed the world in a strange glow of magic and mystery. To see the full moon; under a wide, desert sky is a sight to behold. I challenge everyone to see it at least once in their lifetime.

Under the cold uncaring glass eye of a digital camera, brought through thousands of miles, what I beheld with my eyes took on a whole new meaning. Suddenly, they weren’t simply Joshua trees in the moonlight, there were wood creatures bowing to a light in the sky. One looks like it’s caught in the middle of genuflecting to Mistress Moon, while others look undaunted and unyielding.

It was creepy, but there was no malevolence in the air, just the sweet smell of night and the strange sounds of darkness.

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful. As usual. ;) Makes me want to experience this firsthand, a whole lot more. :)

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  2. As always, you have done a splendid job of taking us along with you, and showing us an unexpected side to your adventures. I love the photo-accompaniment (particularly the moon and the joshua (?) tree) as it looks like a shadow of a dragon - that might just be me.

    Next time can you tuck me in your luggage?

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  3. This is beautiful, I'm not surprised you're proud. Just stunning...
    always,
    Bilinda

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  4. The pictures are like rorschach tests!

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  5. Lovely :~)
    the desert shows us things
    late at night
    in the cool quiet

    I sat on the edge of the Colorado Rockies
    looking down towards Nevada's Great Basin
    at 3 am the rain had stopped
    the sky ablaze
    more stars then I have ever seen in my life
    I could not stop saying "wow wow wow"
    even now 21 years later I can close my eyes
    and forever see that sky

    so yes I totally understand when you say
    we all need to experience full moon in the desert

    that would be awesome and memorable I am sure
    thanks for sharing

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  6. I've still got to find what you saw, a night full of stars. It's ok, one day, I'll get there.

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  7. Thanks for checking it out ladies, I'm glad to be able to share with you!

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