Distraught Sister Moon,
I see you up there, pacing around,
wringing your hands,
"what to do,
what to do,
what to do?"
Down below, all hell is breaking loose:
bombings, shootings, drought,
famines, floods, melting icebergs,
forest fires,
wildlife fleeing in terror,
no where to hide,
dangerous people with bad hair
behaving badly.
I see you trying to efface your fullness
quickly, perhaps thinking
if you lessen your roundness
the populace can return to calm
under a slice of moon.
But when were we last calm?
By your light, madmen and prophets collide.
By your light, poets seek truth and beauty.
By your light, we dream of a better world.
You have stopped pacing.
You like where this is going.
Okay, hear this:
By the Light of Your Silvery Moon,
on earth
(perhaps in vain)
we dream,
we dream,
we dream
of peace.
I reworked a poem from 2017 for Sumana's prompt at Midweek Motif at Poets United: Peace on Earth. Which feels far away in these troubled times. We need to elect a world of grandmothers and pacifists, who will use intelligence, earth wisdom and diplomacy to govern, rather than greed, and "might" and "right". Sigh. I referenced the old tune in my closing lines. We dream indeed.
Also sharing with the Tuesday Platform at Real Toads.
Also sharing with the Tuesday Platform at Real Toads.
This makes me think of my mother. She died this weekend, and I just keep wringing my hands, talking to her, and wanting to get as close to her as possible so I can go on, so the world down here can go on with her up there.
ReplyDeleteI am SO sorry. It is unfathomable to lose our mothers. I remember coming out of the hospital the night my mom died, and being amazed life was still going on. It did not make sense. On day at a time, kiddo. Be very kind to yourself, and rest lots.
DeleteI can see that to....the moon worrying over what to do with this earth. A beautiful poem form our deep wish for peace. This is fitting and lovely Sherry!!
ReplyDeleteThe personification of the moon in distress is such a powerful message. Love it!
ReplyDeleteShall we ever achieve this dream of peace, as we blame everything else, but ourselves for the mess that we find ourselves in. Maybe, I'm being too cynical of humanity's chance to change and start the healing process. One can dream and I would never take that from you, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI hear such anguish behind your plea, and yet also unconquered hope.
ReplyDeleteIt is harder to hang onto hope this past two years. Till then, I was HUGELY optimistic, now not so much. We cant afford the time this aberration is taking, and the destruction that is going on.
ReplyDeleteI think we were in the same mood writing this days... it's hard to hope for peace these days... but I read that the different parties in Yemen have started talking to each other... just maybe there will be a glimmer of hope.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! This is probably the best personification of the moon that I have seen. I can imagine her wringing her hands, wondering "what to do."
ReplyDeleteperhaps thinking
ReplyDeleteif you lessen your roundness
the populace can return to calm
under a slice of moon.... love that personification!
"By your light, madmen and prophets collide.
ReplyDeleteBy your light, poets seek truth and beauty.
By your light, we dream of a better world.
You have stopped pacing.
You like where this is going."
Golly.
By your light... we dream.
ReplyDeleteWonderful and meaningful!
and yet the moon is eternally quiet
ReplyDeleteThis is such a significant verse. Your voice is strong and hopeful. I sincerely wish that this prayer for peace is answered. I love this bit: "By your light, madmen and prophets collide./By your light, poets seek truth and beauty./By your light, we dream of a better world."
ReplyDeleteThere is so much hope in this gorgeous poem, Sherry!❤️ I wish and pray with all my heart and soul for peace to prevail.
ReplyDeleteHope-filled! I love it!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful poem, Sherry!! Thanks for your comment on mine.
ReplyDeleteThings really do seem to be overwhelming right now. This is a beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteHow we all agree with this Sherry but sadly we must fight to achieve this. We must protest, we must be selective when buying, we have to show we care. We can't just hide in poetic words.
ReplyDeleteI see in the efforts of the weak and the un-important a working toward good, toward peace. Is it enough??? We can hope!!!
ReplyDeleteI know I am not supposed to laugh, but the misbehaving bad hair caught me by surprise. Thank you for that. We need to be able to roar at the madness, for a moment. In that way, our energies will be refueled. Then,
ReplyDelete" we dream,
we dream,
we dream
of peace"
never in vain.
I liked how you opened the lines and slowly moved to a hopeful note..... let's dream together and make this happen!!
ReplyDeleteWhatever abyss and chaos there is at present you mention about, you always bring us to that thin streak of light called hope. beautiful, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteSighs of an aching heart and a ray of hope..a spectacular weave indeed!
ReplyDeleteMiraculous realities started out as simple dreams. There are few things as magical as a dreamer who dedicates themselves fully to their dream.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a worried moon pacing. Beautifully written, Sherry.
ReplyDelete