Our First Glimpse of the Aurora Borealis

When we first moved up to the North Norfolk coast, when Ellen was eleven going on twelve, we were amazed not only by the wide Norfolk landscapes and gorgeous sunsets, but also by the immense night skies. We had never seen so many stars or been able to identify constellations – in London there was too much light pollution. On the first night, when we had unpacked most of the boxes and had something to eat, we walked to the end of our road and up the cart gap, which also served as a ramp for boats. The view out to sea was incredible, with moonlight on the waves, as well as lights from fishing boats and distant oil and gas rigs. We lay down on the sandy ramp, gazed up at the night sky and got our very first glimpse of the Northern Lights.

festooned with starlight

aurora bathes the North Sea

with ghostly shimmer

© Kim M. Russell, 2016

Northern Lights over Happisburgh

Aurora over Happisburgh lighthouse: image found on www.bbc.co.uk1024 × 576Search by image

My response to dVerse Poets Pub Haibun Monday – Twinkle, twinkle: Toni has asked us to write a one-paragraph haibun ending with a nature-based haiku, keeping in mind that haiku are always about nature and haibun are always non-fiction.

42 thoughts on “Our First Glimpse of the Aurora Borealis”

  1. Hey!

    I’m loving your blog but I would also like to invite you to submit a short piece to my own. I think your perspective and style of writing would be a perfect piece for my project.

    It’d also be a great way to get your blog/writing out there.

    Please feel free to email me (jennifer@youngandtwenty) with more questions, or take a look at the ‘BEING Young & Twenty’ page on my blog.

    I hope I’ll hear from you 🙂

    Jennifer

    youngandtwenty.com

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hello Jennifer!

      Thank you for your kind comments and invitation. I have been over to look at your blog. If I were still twenty-ish, I would follow you but I am 60 something and am not sure whether my interests fit. If you would still like me to submit a piece of writing, please give me an idea of the content, theme, etc. and I’ll give it a go!

      All the best,

      Kim

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. Wonderful. Festooned with starlight…what a lovely line with which to start a haiku – or anything! I only saw tge Aurora Boreallis once years ago while I was in Alaska. What a wonderful experience and now you get to see it every year!

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  17. Gorgeous image. Words describe the wonder of night skies – especially to someone used to city light pollution. We have that – living right in the midst of Boston (not a suburb) which is why I eagerly await this coming Saturday when we will take the ferry to the very tip of Cape Cod – Provincetown. And we will be two glorious weeks beside the ocean replete with glistening night water and wonderful stars overhead. Late to the posting and reading this time – very much enjoyed this one!

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