It outshines anything up there
Yet most people hardly notice it
As they go about their insular lives
Having more immediate concerns
The winter night sky visible to me
Here in the subtropical warmth
Invites my gaze night after night
Going out after dinner to walk
The moon I see is the same
Seen by anyone else on this earth
Who is also watching the night sky
Connecting us indirectly
My routine lets me follow the phases
Viewing the progression position change
As it appears to me when I step outside
From crescent in the west to full in the east
Though earth's spin moves it east to west
As it chases the sun in a losing race
Every day falling further behind
And I puzzle on why that is so
Looking on what looks like a face
To us humans who see faces everywhere
These days it seems to be weeping
Looking down on events on earth
That is a projection of course
Like my dialogue talking to it
Thank you moon for being there
Almost close enough to touch
Thank you for the tides twice a day
Bringer of life to the edge of the sea
Thank you for the earth’s tipped axis
The reason for the seasons
Though I am not about to go there
And it will not engage in human affairs
The collision long ago is our good fortune
The moon became earth's companion
