By Thomas L. Farris
In North America’s heartland, gathering flocks of birds spiritedly sing,
Before our majestic celestial dance debuts on April 8, 2024’s wing,
With over eight centuries now gone, new shadows are being cast,
Moving on high through America’s sky, the long-awaited spell is vast.
Texas and Oklahoma towns folk whisper in awe at twilight’s blush,
Anticipating the moon’s lingering brush with today’s cosmic rush,
The excited states, Arkansas and Missouri share the darkening scene,
The Earth’s sun and moon achieving perfect tandem, so serene.
In communities and farmlands, the historic drama gradually starts,
An emotional pause and cool aroma descend, moments ready to impart,
Through special glasses people focus on the darkened sky, ancient lore,
Revealing itself, as the expected daylight is briefly apparent no more.
As Illinois and Kentucky viewers ready themselves, murmurs in the air,
The brilliant sun now quietly surrenders, to an awesome ethereal affair,
Citizens throughout the eclipse pathway eagerly gaze to the sky,
Watching our new celestial ballet, as the sultry moon lurks on high.
Indiana now falls under the spell as our traveling eclipse unfolds,
Dramatic shadows dance, unveiling cosmic stories long untold,
Thirty-two generations have passed, as the cosmic clock resets,
A rare but true spectacle is seen, one hearts won’t soon forget.
In eerie, shocking quietude, as the planetary quest manifests,
America’s long-awaited total eclipse, again eternally blessed,
Ohio, then Pennsylvania watch the sun’s quiet, consistent retreat,
A well-choreographed universal drama, oh when will it repeat?
The heavens paint a fresh canvas, in hues bright to dark, then bright,
The moon’s delicate shadow blocks our expected solar light,
New York state’s conversations honor generations living long past,
A historic moment, again re-lived, our total eclipse exposed at last.
Over Vermont and New Hampshire, the crescent shadow’s sweep,
As in America’s mysterious dreams of the past, our eclipse does keep,
People all over Maine experience the gradually ever-darkening time,
With moon and sun converging in darkness, now perfectly aligned.
Born in Wabash, In, Thomas L. Farris / Word Artist, has lived in Muncie since 1962 – having starting a marketing consultancy and a research firm while in graduate school in 1967. Inside and outside of his profession, Tom enjoyed writing and art. His art has won numerous awards over the past 50 years. During the past decade, he has devoted more time to studying poetry and writing – creating many works. A goal with his work is painting pictures with words, so readers can better experience the work. Recent works include four poems about the April 8, 2024 Total Eclipse. His poetry addresses many topics, from humor and inspiration to grief, terminal illnesses and death. Farris is also active as an artist, sculptor and photographer. He spent many summers at Lake Wawasee. His wife, also an artist, is from Hammond and Munster, IN.
Northwest Indiana Literary Journal 