Often at the end of March
One's spirit sags and loses starch.
The cold, the damp, the long dark night
Make us long for warmth and light.
But, hark, an answer is at hand,
A festival that's bright and grand!
Don't get the blues! Don't turn to booze!
Instead, check out the lantern news!

As folks prepare for "Starry Night"
They turn out lanterns, big and bright.
Coreen did some with Zea and Jaz -
Look at them!  They've got pizzazz!
Denise and Neil used balsa wood;
Check them out - they're really good!
If you'd like to make one too,
China can show you how-to-do.
Or work with Becky, Amie, Jo
on fairy wings and floating show.

The equinox will bring delight
As many hands bring forth the light.
Russ and Pamela spread the word
While Paula makes sure all are spurred
To get involved, get their jobs done.
So jump right in!  Join in the fun!

They can be big, they can be small,
They can be any kind at all.
Don’t worry if it’s not first rate ­
At night, lit up, it will look great!
Bring anything that carries light
To P.I’s. first-time Starry Night.

Making lanterns isn’t hard,
Make one in your own back yard
From balsa wood or old glass jars
And decorate with tinsel stars.
Or if you like, join up with others
In workshops, if that is your druthers.

See the dates below ­ there’s three ­
Check them out, RSVP.
There’s lots of help and wise advisors,
(Over twenty organizers!!!)
They don’t need grand financial backing,

There’s just one thing that still is lacking:
Performers of all types and ages
To occupy 10 minute stages.
Play your flute! Dance your jig!
Get a lantern festival gig!
Get lit up for Starry Night
And bring in equinoxal light.
(And pray the night is bright and clear:
Rain’s the thing we mostly fear.)

If you don't have a lantern,
You can make one there.
At the six o'clock table
There'll be lanternware
Or come right along
Just to stroll and stare.

There'll be drums and guitars,
Carl Ashley and crew,
And sound sticks made
Of Doug Rough's bamboo.
And we hear that Russ
Will sing songs too.
Piper John Sinclair
will pipe folks through,
It's gonna be a whizzbang
Musical do

And we can't omit
a very quick mention
Of the open house
for our new fire engine:
1:30 to 3:30 at the fire hall
Watch those firefighting folk
Serving one and all.
They'll serve you hot chocolate
If you bring your own cup

To Starry Night,
So come and live it up.
It may be boggy
You may get soggy
Just drip with the rest
At the lanternfest!

There's a bucket for donations
But afterwards, hark!!!
They'll need some volunteers
To clean up the park.

And here's one last event:
If it all goes right,
There might be a baby
Born this Starry Night!!!