Moon

The moon is everchanging. We view its shape evolve, from a crescent to a full disc depending upon the phase it is travelling through, in the night sky. Accompanied by stars, and smaller than the sun, it is much closer to us and exerts over twice the gravitational force on the Earth than the sun. It affects the tides of the ocean, the atmosphere, the earth and also animals and people. And these lunar influences are a vital factor in the Earth's ability to support life. Extraordinarily, composed of dust and rock, it doesn't shine from within, but in reflection from the sun.

It is magical to lie down under a clear night's sky, in view of a full moon and a sky peppered with stars. I like the following poem written by 'Sappho' c.610-570 b.c. and translated by 'H De Vere Stacpoole'

Moonlight

The stars around the fair moon fade
Against the night,
When gazing full she fills the glade
And spreads the seas with silvery light.

Sappho


I wrote the following:

The Moon

Observing from her silvery lair
Crescent or full, she softly stares
Birds eye view, there high aloft
Like an eagle perusing the mountain top
She guides us with her light
And shares in our dreams
Secret keeper for all
And witness to all dark things
Nugget of truth
The Queen of the night
Blessed to receive her silvery light