I see you, Sister Moon, as you skitter across metal
rooftops, bathing the landscape in your pale
silvery frost, calling me up and out of fretful
sleeplessness, leaving me now to wonder
on which coast I lie, memories of chill mornings,
stoking wood fires, perpetually icy floors,
never warm save for the evening bath steaming
in the early black of night before a tumble
into cool wool blankets, waiting for him to generate
enough heat so muscles could relax enough
to drift into star-spiked dreams;
No choice but to follow as you beckon, teasing
loose the borders of sleep’s inception, drifted wisps
of thought creeping in, vines of phrases twining
into form, spinning wakefulness out of slumber,
then once arisen, watching skies darken implausibly
into pitchy night, once again;
Sleep is respite, not much dissuades me from its
sound embrace, only the occasional ghost tapping
at the windows of my mind, plucking cobwebs
from corners heretofore ignored, prodding questions,
where, what, when and the damnable why,
as if final answers are ever going to be forthcoming
in the pique of midnight hours;
Watch and wait, learn to live in moments, lay aside
expectations, decisions can wait until sunrise,
discover grace under pressure, reside under this
perpetual cloak of uncertainty; life guarantees
nothing, that much I know, and if nothing else,
always remember peace is personal.
Moonset in early morning light through lace curtains ~ © Bela Johnson
Your last stanza (?) was the one that spoke most loudly to me! “..life guarantees
nothing, that much I know, and if nothing else, always remember peace is personal.”
Another powerful one!
As it is. Mahalo, Paul. 🙏❣️
Wonderful poem Bela and how I have fallen for the idea of Sister Moon. Beautiful. The conversation
you have and the dreams … and non dreams
From your beautiful picture “Moonset” I am sure you found that personal peace.
Bless
Miriam
Aww, so happy you liked it, Miriam! 🙏🌺
🦋🌹
Delightful reading this, Bela – I resonated with much of it, those thoughts at night…. and I too love the phrase “peace is personal”. Profound, and so true. ❤️💞
Thanks, Betty! Getting acupunture today to correct this sleep pattern. Though I do love to see Mme. Moon this way, I’d much prefer my sleep. I really feel for women for whom this is a regular event. I don’t think I’d be able to enjoy life as I do if not for my good sound sleep! Aloha, sweetie. <3
Hope the acupuncture helps! (I’m sleep deprived all the time due to the fibromyalgia…. Wish insurance covered acupuncture and other alternative treatments!) Wishing you a pleasant, restful night, my friend. 💗💗
Sister moon, the giant pearl, her presence forever 1.28 light seconds from both coasts, seems to share your indecision . . . Let spinning mind be the home-heart’s satellite, its own giant pearl with a dark-but-benign side. H <3
What a lovely metaphor, Hariod. I will not forget it. As for pearls, I only love the black ones 😉 A friend once gave me a pair of black pearl earrings and those are as fancy as I get, these days.
Sending you love and best wishes on this early morning here. Aloha <3
I love this poem, Bela, and I have to say one of the best I have read…although you are a very gifted writer. Your photos is beautiful and surreal all at once. Aloha!
Aww, that’s too sweet, Renee. Thank you. Much appreciated. I’m currently spinning a longer poem as part of my Renshi poetry group. We’ve been together now for a number of years – the only group I’ve ever joined and thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve been enjoying taking photos much more than ever, these days – something about the iPhone and hiking that seem copacetic; unobtrusive.
Take good care, and enjoy yet another week as it winds to its inevitable end. Wow, hasn’t this year flown! Aloha <3
You are always welcome! It has been a pleasure reading your site. I can no longer hike as once I was able due to my heart but I can imagine having the iPhone to take your photos with must be a wonderful thing. Do take care. It is a windy Fall day here as is typical for WA. Aloha!
Thank you. I’m sorry you can’t hike anymore, but I do understand. And I would love that windy Fall day! I do miss that season most of all. We have a cooler season here, and this morning we were both really cold. But I’m talking 62 degrees with all the windows open. I have no right to complain!
You take care as well, dear one. Breathe in that crisp air for me! Aloha. <3
“Sleep is respite, not much dissuades me from its
sound embrace, only the occasional ghost tapping
at the windows of my mind, plucking cobwebs
from corners heretofore ignored, prodding questions,
where, what, when and the damnable why,
as if final answers are ever going to be forthcoming
in the pique of midnight hours;”
So relate to this…!!! Lovely piece, Bela. 🙂
I will bet you can, Vidur. 🤗 Thank you. 🌺
🤗❤️
As a night person, I really enjoyed this poem about muddling one’s way through the hours after sunset up until sunrise. ‘teasing loose the borders of sleep’s inception, drifted wisps of thought creeping in’ I’m a hard sleeper but I’m also one who finds it hard to fall asleep. So sleep is indeed repose for me, but it always slowly creeps up to me and whilst falling asleep, thoughts of the day or tomorrow beckon my mind. Then again, night isn’t always about worrying as you alluded to in the last stanza. Sometimes we just have to let things be, and even the mysterious night can’t promise us anything – and rather it is up to us to let things rest and carry on in the moment 🙂
The movement and shadows beckon. Love this 💕
🙏🏽 Mahalo, Val! 🌺
❄️🌟❄️
The moon casts its spell on so many of our poetic words as she glows, lighting the night for our new tomorrows..
Beautiful words Bela.. and loved your image through your curtains.. 😀
And a beautiful comment, Sue. Thank you for that. And thanks for the kind words, always. Sending you love and warmth on this fine overcast day! Glad to be in the cool for awhile 😉 Love, Bela
Enjoy each and every day Bela.. MUCH love to you dear friend Aloha. <3
Aloha, sweetie. <3