The wonder of space implores us to be placid
Gazing at the supermoon one night past
I saw the distance between her and earth
Limpid and far, quiet and empty
As if the only breach were my vision
Fractured by weak eyesight, poor posture
Telescopes might pull her closer
Though we fill the gap doggedly with fear
Argument, hatred, accusation, injury, violence
We shatter our world and the moon’s
Posing as wholly independent, just one
When in fact we are all connected, all one
Heavenward eyes peer, souls beseech tranquility
One being, one earth, one universe, one cosmos
Roiling, expanding, bursting, churning, emerging
Space between moon and earth
Never still, the ether a shimmer, a quiver,
Launch of one rocket equal to one smile
I was born in 1948, most recent super moon
Before last Sunday’s, will not be here for the next
May the year 2034 be one of calm and peace
May my spirit then united with all breaths
Be a scarce flux, an absent touch
My children and grandchildren to feel justice
The scope of all atoms toward the serene
Great-grandchildren and strangers everywhere
Know what I left behind, unremembered,
Unremarked, also did no damage, merely an attempt
To repair the rifts, the harm, the anger, the blows
Tried to say thank you, I’m sorry, I forgive, I love
If not always heard because other
Sounds and movements hurt, stole, cut, raped
I turned my back even while proclaiming my
Innocence, activism, contribution, my part
I am also responsible for all that and
So are you – we may not acquit nor turn aside
The swell of sanctuary, of prodigal equity
The moon was close on Sunday, most super
But we are close to each other every day
No matter my speech or heritage, no matter yours
We are all born of the same dust and glow
The same needs, urges, desires, ash, and blood
May not blame the Holy One nor ask favor
It was granted the moment of our birth
Now is our chance and our charge to build
Repair, invent, improve, protect, share, yield
That when next the moon appears most super
Her gleam will expose a world whole and still
One voice of God most heard and most felt by all
Moon image courtesy Harvest Moon on the #UWS #NYC September 8, 2014 image/editing/sookietex and released into the public domain
Sharon Bonin-Pratt's Ink Flare 
Comments on: "Supermoon" (29)
May not blame the Holy One nor ask favor
It was granted the moment of our birth.
LOVE that line, Sharon! What a gorgeous psalm!
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Thank you, Adrienne.
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That moon is inspirational, innit. I’ve scoffed at the big moon images in some movies–no more. Now I’ve seen it.
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Yes, it is spectacular.
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So MANY evocative lines for me:
“Fractured by weak eyesight, poor posture” – our human spirituality that does not see nor stand erect and proud
“Space between moon and earth” – both the clutter we’ve sent into the sky (literally & metaphorically) and our illusion there is nothing there that connects broken by the tides.
“Know what I left behind, unremembered” – again the illusion we are not connected yet the soul-knowing everything is connected and imprinted on our DNA.
I could go on and on Shari – there are so many lines that aroused my mind and senses. That’s what poetry is meant to do and you done did it . . . in spades.
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Thank you, Judy, I really appreciate your comments and especially how you understood what I wanted to get across. We are small but what we say and do makes a difference. It’s important to consider carefully and to remember we are all connected, our deeds are lasting, our lives have impact.
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Here is my favorite part: “May not blame the Holy One nor ask favor
It was granted the moment of our birth
Now is our chance and our charge to build
Repair, invent, improve, protect, share, yield.” Sharon, this speaks to me of one of my favorite “questions.” Prayer, it seems to me, is a plea to God, sometimes in desperation, for this or that to come about according to our desires and designs, but yet here you state that the gift has already been granted, and it is our turn to step up and deal in response. It suggests showing gratitude for what has been given and accepting personal responsibility because of it. I love the idea of this. It is DEEP stuff.
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This is what I believe, that a prayer is not meant to be a request for a gift but a response for those already given. The most we can ask in prayer is the strength to deal with our struggles. Even then, prayers may be answered in ways unexpected or not understood. The responsibility of what remains is still ours. I’m grateful you understood my interpretation.
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Yes, Catnip, Sharon done did it! I am blown away.
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If I’d had my choice, I’d chosen to sit with you, to hear you recite these words. Words full of past failings, hopes, regrets and misgivings, of chance and aspirations for what should be, never was. Shari, this is stunning. Worthy of a slow respectful read. Thank you.
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I’ve always thought poetry should be read aloud, even to oneself. That you find my poem worthy of reading aloud really made my day. Thank you, Audrey, for your kind enthusiasm.
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That was a wonderful poem, very contemplative and introspective. It’s funny to think that Socrates, Genghis Khan, Montezuma all looked up at the same moon. And of course, when everyone here today has long, long gone, the moon will still be there in the sky.
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There are so many parts of the universe in which we are connected, that it boggles the mind that so many find reason to attack others or put up artificial borders. Yes, the moon will remain, and I hope the human race as well.
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I have my fingers crossed for us! 😀
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Me too, Bun. I’m not even sure what kind of activism will promote peace, but I’d like to be so engaged. For now, just a poem.
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This poem really moved me Sharon. I agree with Judy – there are just so many wonderful lines that I can’t point them all out. The moon moved you to write the poem that moved me. If only everyone understood we are all connected and if only we could all work as one. What a wonderful world that would be.
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Thank you, Irene. I’m pleased that you understood what I was trying to write in the poem. I so wish that everyone wanted a peaceful world that’s healthy for all of us, and I’m convinced it’s doable.
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I believe it is too although some times I have to stretch the imagination a long distance.
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Yes, I agree, Irene, the stretch of a very long distance. Keep hoping others will stretch also and we can meet on common ground.
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Marvelous, Sharon! would copy & paste entirety of it, but for sake of this format, have chosen my fave lines as,
“We are all born of the same dust and glow
The same needs, urges, desires, ash, and blood”
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Thank you, Daal, I’m so glad you like the poem and that these lines resonate with you. I’d been pretty upset for the week and this came out of seeing that gorgeous moon.
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many of us in US are plenty upset
Sharon – must say that I’d looked forward to super moon – but didn’t see much! looked at it at 5pm, then 9pm. What time did you look at it?
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Time? I don’t even know what time it is now and it’s right on the computer. LOL. I’d gone out several times that evening. We’re stargazers over here – out many nights looking up at the sky.
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I remember this moon, but I think you got a lot more out of it than I did. 🙂
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We are star gazers over here – both sons and their families and hubby all love looking up. I’ve been transfixed since I was a child, looking for the man in the moon and eventually understanding a little more about the universe. The current political situation still has me quaking, and not just here in the U.S. All over the world I hear the dissonant sounds of anger and hate. So very sad and frightening. Thanks for reading, Cathleen.
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Wow! You’re aware of how good this poem is, right? I read a lot of poetry, and it doesn’t always speak to me, though I do try to comprehend what the poet had in mind. Just seems sometimes it can be a slog, but yours is different. I was lulled into the rhythm and therefore the impact of each word so quickly that it told me I was grasping the full meaning as I rode the waves of this masterfully written poem. I am in awe! Beautiful metaphoric, evocative, mystical, symbolic, insightful and well done. I will now return to read it again.
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This is mighty praise from a writer of your talent, Claire, and I thank you very much. The Supermoon captivated my whole family’s attention, and I kept thinking about my grandchildren and what kind of world we are leaving them. I don’t consider myself a poet but sometimes it comes to me as it did that evening.
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oh, you’re a poet, all right. Make no mistake. I’ve not seen the likes of this in a month of Sundays. Here’s to you!
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Thank you, Claire. I really appreciate your comment.
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