See that bright star in the west just after sun down? That’s the planet Venus. She orbits the Sun just like we do though closer and thus faster. About three weeks ago she appeared as far away from our star as she could and is now lower and lower every night. Early next year she’ll pass us in her orbit and become the morning star once again so night owls like me should enjoy her crisp beauty while they can.

To the Evening Star
by William Blake

Thou fair-haired angel of the evening,
Now, whilst the sun rests on the mountains, light
Thy bright torch of love; thy radiant crown
Put on, and smile upon our evening bed!
Smile on our loves; and, while thou drawest the
Blue curtains of the sky, scatter thy silver dew
On every flower that shuts its sweet eyes
In timely sleep. Let thy west wind sleep on
The lake; speak silence with thy glimmering eyes,
And wash the dusk with silver. Soon, full soon,
Dost thou withdraw; then the wolf rages wide,
And the lion glares through the dun forest.
The fleeces of our flocks are covered with
Thy sacred dew; protect them with thine influence.