Star Gazing

I remember the thought of knowing the sky
Being a Scout, trying for an Astronomy badge
Discovering what noble Indians know of the night
The constellations, I wanted to be able to show
To all that would listen, I would tell of Leo
I would announce Aquarius and Orion
I would point to the North with confidence 
If I ever needed to help navigate in the dead of night
So I studied in the library, those glossy books
Pictures that were perfect and thought I knew
What I’d see if I could only see, but the clouds 
Never parted and the city lights obscured
So that I was thwarted because only
In those glossy books could I know the stars
And now those lessons are lost on me
And when I gaze and when I can see,
The stars, they don’t quite speak to me
As those stick figures connecting the dots
In the days of my youth, when I longed to know
What the noble Indians would surely know
They are now just twinkling dots of light
And I’m pleased to enjoy their beauty
As I understand how light has traveled time
To present something wonderful for eye to see
Even if I may never quite hear them speak to me