Goodbye Moon

By John Herlihy

What would we do if the moon disappeared from our starred sky,

As it nightly roams the heavens at will from the horizon on high?

We have grown accustomed to the moon as it waxes and wanes;

As we sleep, it seasons our dreams thru bedroom windowpanes.

For one night in the lunar cycle, the moon declines to show its face;

This is what it would be like with no moon to give night its taste.

The ink of our magical lunar sphere dried up in the celestial quill;

In its place a sheer plate of darkness, I look for her misty eye still.

Unthinkable the old man in the moon would simply take his leave;

The face of Orion would no doubt blush and look up her sleeve.

Forget not the sad little stars, lost without big brother and forlorn;

Or the Arora Borealis, our Northern Lights, would set up a storm.

Good-bye moon, never again to see your adorable, ruined face;

I will miss your nightly appearance, darkness left in your place.