Natural or man-made, it's a story told.
From stars in the sky to streetlights below,
Its presence can bring both joy and woe.
Disrupting rhythms, sleep patterns floored.
Our bodies designed to rest and repair,
Exposure to nocturnal light, we must beware.
Navigating in the dark, a boon to our stride.
Aesthetic value, it brings to the night,
Creating beauty, a marvelous sight.
Disrupting nature's way, nocturnal animals adjourn.
Astronomy's view, too, it can obscure,
A balance we must strike, of this we are sure.
To minimize the impact on health and the environment's heart.
Energy-efficient lighting, the right way to start,
Directing light where needed, an art.
A balance we seek, as the story unfolds.
Preserving the night, for us all to behold,
A challenge we must embrace, a tale to be told.