“Milky Way”

“The Milky Way stretched out above them like a string of exploding fireworks. The thousands of visible stars reminded them of so many shotgun-pellet dents made in the windshield of the sky. The mystery of night and the infinite horizon rained down on them like flakes of invisible magic dust. The trees, reduced to black silhouettes, resembled dancers from a spectral world. The ground mist slowly floated from one area of the woods to another like a congregation of spirits seeking rest. The moonless night was so dark that the walkers could barely make out their own feet. Above all other impressions was that of quiet: they heard no birds or creatures; no wind blew the branches of the oaks and spruces; no cars honked and no people called to one another. The deep silence of dark night wrapped them round.”