Dark Adaptation
At first
nothing
merely sky
because perceptions
withhold sight
and now you must wait
meditate
avoiding any point that blinds
till dimness dwindles
out of time
so distance withers without trace
and universe may show its face
and you could know
however far
the constellations
every star
exactly where they ought to be
once eyes prepare
to mind
and see.
Dark Adaptation © Copyright 2021, Robert J. Tiess.
View this poem at AllPoetry.com
Quote challenge (in darkness you can see the stars) prompt - link:
https://allpoetry.com/contest/2754994-Quote--15-
More about Dark Adaptation and human eyes:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/dark-adaptation-of-the-human-eye-and-the-value-of-red-flashlights.htm
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/ocw/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=96046§ion=_unit3.1.1https
://www.open.edu/openlearn/ocw/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=96046§ion=_unit3.1.1
Submitted: July 12, 2020