The Starry Messenger

-- Fist Quarter, November 2003 --
FRONT PAGE Volume 1, Issue 1
Lunar Phases

by Jill Goldin

A new moon is birthing, in front of the Sun
Behind it is glowing, a face golden-spun
But we see only darkness in the shadowy air
Almost as though the moon was not there

Continuing its orbit, the moon reaches a place
Where more of its illuminated half is revealed deep in space
It is the waxing crescent, a sliver of lights
That has been dipped in the endless expanses of night

The first quarter moon occurs after only a week
Since the new moon caused us in darkness to seek
At this position, we see half silver and half black
It is easy to recognize and easy to track

Again four days later, the moon appears swollen
And much of the darkness, it seems, has been stolen
For the waxing gibbous fills more of the sky
With silvery splendor--a generous supply

When the moon stands opposite the Sun in its path
It's in for a treat--a luminescent bath
Yes, from Earth our moon appears perfectly round
For many, the full moon is a time very profound

When the full moon reaches, after two weeks on its route
The light ceases to grow, now a different pursuit
For these gibbous, last quarter, and crescent phases
The brightness starts waning, answering only easter praises

As you may now notice, it is not the Earth's shadow
That determines how much of the moon is aglow
But rather different angles as seen on its course
That allow us to see portions lit up by the Source

So rest well, regardless of which phase it's in
And pull those warm covers right up to your chin
Because no matter how large it appears to your eyes
Our dear moon will always remain the same size

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© 2004 - Last Updated on: 03/28/04