planets

Reading this morning in the Times about five planets aligned in the morning sky. Took a look outside, and it was clear. It was 5 degrees, but I put on my boots, and went outside to take a look (in my bathrobe). I saw Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. Saturn is very difficult to pick out because it looks just like stars in terms of size and color. Mercury hadn't yet risen above the mountains in the east. The article said it's been over 10 years since this last occurred. This is the phenomenon John wrote about when he was a student at Allegheny.
Crunch of snow underfoot.

Astrology
John Kahle

I was not born a believer
in higher beings or mysticism
but tonight I am able to write
because five planets are aligned,
tunnels in the black bone
of the Earth's skull. Emerging
out of blue, Jupiter burns
with dignity. I see Mars
first hand, quivering with scarlet
in the spring air like a tulip.
I can point to Saturn as the Moon
passes, though it is hardly distinctive
from the wash of stars and galaxies,
reduced by distance and detail.
But the borrowed light of Venus
relaxes the light years. It beckons
me and asks steadily if I will be back.
I say I haven't seen Mercury yet.
Nor the others vacationing in the south.