"Tis midnight now. The bend and broken moon, batter'd and black, as from a thousand battles, hangs silent on the purple walls of Heaven.” - Joaquin Miller
I had a long day of non-stop meetings followed by a business dinner in Stamford. As I drove back into the City on this calm temperate evening, the moon caught my eye. It sat unperturbed in a dark cloudless sky and it exhibited only a small sliver of its full mass. The bulk of its brilliance held back in the recesses of its new state, not unlike the unfolding Spring around us. In only a short matter of time the moon will release its full sphere of light on an evening, one hopes, like tonight. I hope it will coincide with the lush unleashing of a proper Spring--seductive and fragrant.
I once read that moon gazing has an affect akin to the fluttery force of love (and I probably read that on a sappy greeting card) but I do understand it. That indecisive orb seems to cruelly extract a yearning and a loneliness within mere mortals; it's no wonder that the moon is easily blamed for our moments of madness.
Tonight as I wandered the dark street toward my building, I found my gaze directed toward the cloudless sky, admiring the select brilliance of the new moon against a velvety canvas. It's divine.
6 comments:
Declan has had a personal relationship with the moon since he was three. He asked me then if the moon bounced. I laughed and said no, but agreed it looked like a ball. He then asked how it got back up there each night. Hmm. He asked if it was a sponge. Not so quick to laugh, I asked him why he would ask. He wanted to know if it glowed because it had soaked up all the sunshine. Declan is rarely afraid of the dark. We talked about it once. Declan told me the moon's name is Marvin and he listens to his secrets as well as his prayers. Marvin stays with him all night to make sure he's safe. Declan blesses Marvin every night in his prayers. It amazes me how lyrical the moon sounds even coming from a five year old.
You should publish your writings, C&W, they are amazing!
On the last cruise I took, I spent several evenings on deck gazing at the moon. It is mysterious and sensual, yet haunting at the same time. I often wonder if the astronauts who have actually walked there feel more connected or does it lose it's mystique.
Mary, Declan sounds like a fascinating little boy.
Well Karen, I think so, but then again, I might be a tidge biased.
Karen, well, I'm not biased (not that much, anyway) and I agree the little man is pretty darned amazing. He has a delicious and limitless imagination. And I love that he calls the moon Marvin. If Declan doesn't mind, I'll call him Marvin too.
And thanks for your kind words, Karen, which humble me.
Aunt Mikki, I'm certain he won't mind. In fact I think he would love it. He has "them" all named:
Ella Earth, Marvin Moon, Sammy Sun, Wendy and Wilma Wind, Mickey, Mikie (the Hydrogen twins and their cousin from the oxygen clan) and Martin Molecule, Gary Gravity, Adam Atmosphere, Claudia Cloud, Leo Lightning…It's easier for him to ask his questions about life science in story form. “Mom, what makes thunder?”. It’s the sound of Wendy Wind, the cold wind, and Wilma, the warm wind, bumping into each other.
What did I tell you, Karen? My nephew is a genius!!
Post a Comment