Written in response to Jeff Schwaner’s invitation to this evening’s Full Moon Social Party. I’m kicking off the festivities by pairing the poem with a glass of chilly Jaume Serra Cava, accompanied by a tad of Cypress Grove’s Humboldt Fog soft-ripening goat cheese on a slice of crusty baguette, with a handful of grapes and almonds. Cheers!
Nine Ways of Shaping the Moon
– for Lissa
1
Tilt your head and laugh
until the night bends
and I see only you.
2
Weave the wind into song.
Rub its fabric over your skin.
For whom does it speak?
3
Remove all stars and streetlights.
Remove thought, remove voice.
Remove me. But do not remove yourself.
4
Tear the clouds into threads
and place them in layered circles.
Then breathe slowly into my ear.
5
Drink deeply. Raise your eyes to the brightness
above the cedars. Observe their motion
through the empty glass. Repeat.
6
Talk music to me. Talk conspiracies
and food and dogs and rain. Do this
under the wild night sky.
7
Harvest red pollen from the trees.
Cast it about the room
and look through the haze.
8
From the bed, gaze into the mirror.
The reflection you see is the darkness
absorbing your glow.
9
Fold the light around us, and listen.
You are the moon in whose waters
I would gladly drown.
Visit Jeff’s blog, Translations from the English, at http://jeffschwaner.com/
WordPress tag: fullmoonsocial2014
Thank you! And enjoy 🙂 http://whenthesunwakes.wordpress.com
LikeLike
The pleasure was all mine! You have a great blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One way of reshaping your apprehension of the world: read Robert Okaji’s poetry.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Jeff, as always. This has been a great party!
LikeLiked by 1 person
WONDERFUL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Emily.
LikeLike
This is beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
I have allotted myself only 20 words to tell you how deeply this short poem has affected me.
Braunschweiger, odiferous.
😛
R
LikeLike
But not head cheese. Thank you.
LikeLike
LOL! I’m with you on that! Oh, the “Braunschweiger” and “odiferous” had nothing to do with your poem. I just used them as filler to make the 20-word allotment.
😛
Ron
LikeLike
As it turns out, I do like braunschweiger…
LikeLike
Hi Robert, You write on so many different things, and write beautifully.. Thanks for liking my post!
Looking forward to being a successful blogger like yourself..
LikeLike
You are very generous.Thank you.
LikeLike
What a wonderful exercise of emotionally expression – and I did start off tilting my head. Very nice, excellent in fact.
LikeLike
Thank you very much. I’m so glad you like it.
LikeLike
Lissa is lucky to have such magical and loving wordplay in her honor. Beautiful, Robert! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m the lucky one, Leigh. Thank you!
LikeLike
Just beautiful…and I love Humboldt Fog…thank you!
LikeLike
I also love Cypress Grove’s Truffle Tremor. Yum. And thank you!
LikeLike
I’ll take the cheese and grapes …while Lissa enjoys the adoration. 🙂
Byuteefulus piece, btw. 🙂
LikeLike
Never stand between a woman and her cheese…
Thank you.
LikeLike
Beautiful, Robert. Just beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you, Leonard.
LikeLike
It’s a beautiful poem! Wish it could be converted into a song that one could sing!
LikeLike
Thank you, but you would change your mind if I were the singer.
LikeLike
Poets and song writers may not always recite or sing their own compositions well. I find it much easier to recite somebody else’s poem and sing songs written by others
LikeLike
I use “lovely” far too often as a descriptor, but in so many ways this is truly lovely (or loverly?) — can’t stop re-reading this one.
LikeLike
I’m so pleased you find it so.
LikeLike
Oh my my my my my! I’m stunned and swooning…..
LikeLike
Swooning? So that’s where my Cava went! Thank you for your kind words.
LikeLike
Humbolt Fog and Cava. Perfect combo. Perfect shape. Perfect moon. Can there ever be such a thing as a perfect poem?
LikeLike
We can only try.
LikeLike
gorgeous and tender. poem, wine, nibbles, beauty. a perfect night.
LikeLike
Yes, a perfect night. Thanks.
LikeLike
Robert, this is so beautiful and romantic, subtle and mysterious–my favorite of yours!
LikeLike
That means a lot to me. Thank you!
LikeLike
Good stuff–‘nough said.
LikeLike
Thank you, Melissa.
LikeLike
Love this! Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you, Charlotte.
LikeLike
An enviously elegant ennead. Nicely done.
LikeLike
Somehow the form seemed to fit. I’m so glad you approve.
LikeLike
This is so lovely. Thank you so much for visiting my site, and leading me to yours.
LikeLike
You’re very welcome. And thank you.
LikeLike
Always delighted to read your poems. This piece is beautiful and somehow grants inner peace. I will continue reading poems.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
WOW. Thats all i can say
LikeLike
And that’s one of the best things you could say. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this a lot. Especially verse 3..It reminds me to let myself just breathe and enjoy nature and to block out the distractions that prevent me from appreciating it more often. Great job again!
LikeLike
Thanks, Maggie. I enjoyed participating in the Full Moon Social, terrifying tho it was to release something to public view so quickly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good on ya!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on and commented:
Beautiful poem from O at the Edges (Robert Okaji). Absolutely loved this piece.
“Talk music to me. Talk conspiracies
and food and dogs and rain. Do this
under the wild night sky.”
LikeLike
Thanks for reblogging this.
LikeLike
Oh Yes! a literary style on your own Robert – you shine bright mate – keep it up… please!
LikeLike
Thanks, Rob.
LikeLike
Pingback: Talking With A Poet: Part One | Brigit's Flame Writing Community