Tonight, when the Oak Moon rises in the eastern sky, it will not be just one moon. It will be one of millions.
Think of all the reflected Oak Moons that will shine on tide pools and city fountains, slide over ocean crests and car hoods, swim in puddles and oil slicks.
It’s as if, each month, the full moon and its countless reflections are racked, struck, and scattered across the earth like so many billiard balls.
And you wrote this wired up to a heaving machine? I am awed. Awed by the moon and all its meanings and associations you so happily list, but by you…that you’ve assembled this wonderful essay that makes my morning, where the moon has been enshrouded by fog, lighter. Thank you!
Thank you, Bonnie! I'm glad this newsletter could be a little lantern swinging through your foggy morning. As for working while recovering, I find writing to be the best pain reliever! Wishing you happy holidays, Will
Thank you, Will for once again introducing and creating moon beauty expressed from a source often filled with pain. I am happy to hear you are home. Your artistry is from a man of grit. You live your name. Will.
It was my only full-poem dream. Sometimes I wake holding a line or two by the tail, but dream-poems are slippery creatures. Thanks for the well wishes. Happy holidays, Vicki!
What an excellent collection, thank you! One of my favourites is from Kevin Henkes' picture book Kitten's First Full Moon, in which the kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk. In recent years I've become a bit of a fan of moon bathing - sitting in the glow of a full moon. This started with an overnight flight on a full moon, during which the light of the moon shone through the little airplane window for hours on end and it felt quite magical. Now I try to seek it out whenever there's a full moon, if I remember, and if there's no cloud coverage.
What a beautiful practice, Rebecca. I've always thought my newsletter, if nothing else, can remind people that it's a full moon so they can gander or even, as in your case, bathe in the moonlight.
I’ve no idea what Octavio Paz would think but I thought the poem was stunning 💗
You are writing my favorite substack newsletter. Thank you!
In my neck of the woods, I can’t see the moon tonight—it is raining. Earlier today we had snow.
The moon figures prominently in this Lorca poem, going through several transformations as the drama unfolds down below. It is a favorite poem of mine.
https://poets.org/poem/romance-sonambulo
Too bad you missed the Moon but luckily Lorca supplied you with a decent view ("an icicle of moon" is fantastic).
Always great to hear from you, Tommy.
How strange to have needed to hear her many names tonight. Thank you for this rumination♥️ and all the others as well
Pure moon poetry:
Tonight, when the Oak Moon rises in the eastern sky, it will not be just one moon. It will be one of millions.
Think of all the reflected Oak Moons that will shine on tide pools and city fountains, slide over ocean crests and car hoods, swim in puddles and oil slicks.
It’s as if, each month, the full moon and its countless reflections are racked, struck, and scattered across the earth like so many billiard balls.
I absolutely loved the fullness of this, it captured so well the travels of the moon. It's such a gift to read these lovely words✨️
🙏🌔
And you wrote this wired up to a heaving machine? I am awed. Awed by the moon and all its meanings and associations you so happily list, but by you…that you’ve assembled this wonderful essay that makes my morning, where the moon has been enshrouded by fog, lighter. Thank you!
Thank you, Bonnie! I'm glad this newsletter could be a little lantern swinging through your foggy morning. As for working while recovering, I find writing to be the best pain reliever! Wishing you happy holidays, Will
“The full moon is legion.” Love this! 🌕
Wishing you relaxed rest and healing.
🙏 Much appreciated, Rose.
Many decades ago, when my nephew was a young child, he looked at the crescent moon and said to my sister, "Look Mom, a fingernail in the sky!"
A poetic prodigy!
Love everything about this, Will! Thank you
🙏 Glad you liked it, Sophia. Truly.
Fabulous post! Just wonderful! Happy Oak Moon!
Happy Oak Moon to you!
The Full Moon resembles a gateway, or maybe a LENS.
It was compared to a beast that endeavored to devour the Sun.
I would compare it to Apophis / Apep although it's seen as the vessel of at least ONE of the Egyptian gods, Khonsu. Health to you, Will !
Thank you, Will for once again introducing and creating moon beauty expressed from a source often filled with pain. I am happy to hear you are home. Your artistry is from a man of grit. You live your name. Will.
Thank you, Kash. These words will stay with me.
Wonderful to know you are home and healing; fingers crossed for progress...
Thank you for this buffet spread of lunar apparitions!
Thanks for those crossed fingers. I think they're helping!
I'm glad you enjoy a good lunar metaphor as much as I do.
Glad to hear you are home, Will. What a brilliant collection of lunar writings! And imagined writings. Thank you.
Thanks, Wendy! So glad to be home — and here with you and all our fellow moon-lovers. Be well!
I love that you dreamt a complete poem! I only wish my dreams were that fancy. Take care, I hope your recovery is gentle
It was my only full-poem dream. Sometimes I wake holding a line or two by the tail, but dream-poems are slippery creatures. Thanks for the well wishes. Happy holidays, Vicki!
What an excellent collection, thank you! One of my favourites is from Kevin Henkes' picture book Kitten's First Full Moon, in which the kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk. In recent years I've become a bit of a fan of moon bathing - sitting in the glow of a full moon. This started with an overnight flight on a full moon, during which the light of the moon shone through the little airplane window for hours on end and it felt quite magical. Now I try to seek it out whenever there's a full moon, if I remember, and if there's no cloud coverage.
What a beautiful practice, Rebecca. I've always thought my newsletter, if nothing else, can remind people that it's a full moon so they can gander or even, as in your case, bathe in the moonlight.
AI is such an idiot
😆
Wishing you good health in the New Year!