I Have Seen the Moon
By John Herlihy

I don’t want to bother you too much with this,
An event whose magic I simply couldn’t resist.
I have seen the moon rise up from the sea,
Like the true orphan it was intended to be.
Looking a little forlorn and far from bright,
All dressed up in the darkness of the night.
Now losing some layers of its original size,
Casting off its milky hue, pretending to be wise.
The moon-lit face of land showing ageless lore,
Arousing feelings within I have never felt before.

The sight of the moon always comes as a surprise,
Limping there in the distance like a compromise.
An afterthought in the heavens amid twinkling stars,
But there it is, as if it truly belongs, as if it is ours.
Giving old eyes fresh insight into night’s wonder,
That an orphan moon can throw our heart asunder.
The old man in the moon always takes his own road,
Since ancient days, he knows where he wants to go.
The blank space of the night now a mystery most dear,
The moon becomes truth to pierce the heart like a spear.