Outback Skies in Central Australia

The outback sky changes frequently. Sometimes it reflects the dark of night, yet is still spattered with glowing stars. At other times, the storm clouds roll in, gathering en masse, holding power and destruction but also life-giving rain. In contrast, when fires burn, the grey smoke coats the blue and blocks the sun.

The outback sky stretches over the desert. It presides over many things, both good and bad. It sees pain, and it sees hope. And no matter what, beyond the horizon eternity hugs our world and all those who walk upon it.

The dawn sky over Alice Springs (Photo credit: Vicki Hutchinson)

We live our lives beneath the sky. We have created time, stamping hours and minutes over the unfolding reaches of life. We try to capture the sky by separating its cycles into days and weeks. No matter what names we give its breadth and evolution, it continues to change and develop as day and night, winter and summer unfold.

This outback sky travels far beyond our range of vision. It reaches to the coast of this great continent, no longer covering desert and red-dust mountains, no longer the outback, no longer ours. We cannot capture or limit its expanses.

Long after we are gone, the sky and eternity remain. Someone else comes in our place to view what we once saw for the finite time they are alive. And then, the wind takes them away, as it has also taken us away.

Everything ends eventually. Watching the outback sky is a gift. Press it close to your heart. Know that no matter what, nothing stays the same. Tomorrow is coming.