Stars fade into streetlamps as we head home,
Each with a particular nimbus of light.
You can’t get the same quality of night sky
Out in the city with its pollution.
Only a few stars are brave enough
To shine on through the smog and neon glare –
Orion with his sword and belt,
The Great Dipper scooping water,
And every so often a North Star pointing home.

What you lose in stars you gain in people,
The average human crust and grind.
As long as the stars are still out there,
I’m not sure I mind.