Dancing Moon, Sky and Earth

Long long ago:
Moon and Earth were one
Until shattering of celestial hammering
Left two dancing where once was one.
Setting a tempo for life to come.
But that was long long ago

Long Ago:
She wined with sages of old
leaving them drunk upon her light.
Men wanting to have more,
yet treasuring
only the emptiness of her embrace.
But that was long ago.

Today:
It’s a busy life.
Rockets to build.
Humanity busily pounding outwards while…
Societies ebb with human tides.
No time for poetry
as life becomes tied, to fulfilling orders.
But that was this morning,
already lost in the afternoon press.

Tomorrow:
I will dance with her
Knowing we will be eclipsed
Our motions moving us on
to get lost in earthly shadows,
leaving me to walk alone: yet fulfilled.
But tomorrow will be nothing,
for those chained to consuming the earth now.

Casey Kochmer Feb 2008

Personal Thoughts About the Poem

Some additional moon poems by others over time.

Barn’s burnt down
now
I can see the moon.

Mild and moist were the months of spring;
Cool and clear is the white season of autumn.
Now the dew congeals, no longer drifting mists.
The sky is high, the landscape sharp and clear.
Soaring peaks rise from yonder mountain range
Seen from here, their lofty beauty is unsurpassed.
Fragrant chrysanthemums deck the woods with splendor;
The green pines stand in rows above the cliff.
I admire their beauteous grandeur,
Elegant and lofty under the frost.
Holding my wine cup, I toast to the mystics
Who once roamed along the pines.
Searching for the essence I have not yet acquired,
Reluctantly I await the rising moon.

Having gazed at the moon
I depart from this life
with a blessing

This way and that way
I tried to keep the pail of water together,
Hoping the weak bamboo would never break.
Suddenly the bottom fell out.
No more water
No more moon in the water
emptiness in my hand.

How can we not dance with the moon?

Jet engines
                     Push
                                    A steel grey night
                                           Twilight

        An illuminated moon
        Biting the clouds

        The colors do the speaking
        Fading sun pushing pink to space
        Ice white moon
                                              puncturing
                               Darkening blue -sea blue- sky
        Riding over
        Clouds
                                    Tearing a peace of blue

        -- Soon to descend --
        But for this moment alone
        It's the moon's light
        That keeps me high above the sky
                        Tonight

10,000 feet over some corn fields, I spent some time dancing with the moon.