Four Ways of Looking at the Moon
I
Trammeled trinket,
Pale-thighed harlot,
Liar with a mirror of
Tomorrow's glory,
Your eyes do not descry infinity.
II
Care-worn celestial orphan
Who whispers to the ruins
Of the castle by the sea,
When we laid light feet on you
Did you not receive?
Was our ancient longing not fulfilled?
III
Promiser of coming dayshine,
Abbess to the coming red-wine
Dawn, you in your perpetual gift
Of separateness define
The future's and the present's rift
And the long slow arc of time.
IV
You are a dreaming part of the earth's heart,
Self from self too forcefully distended.
We brazenly embraced you:
Was your slumber ended?
(c) 2002, John R. Sisk