William C Ross’ poem Sea Senses appeared here in July 2011. In the author’s words: “During a brief stay in Tucson 9 years ago, I read an interesting article in the Arizona Daily Star about an astronomical event that was to occur that evening. At the rising of the April full moon in the eastern sky, five planets would be visible in alignment in the west. Since it was stated that it would be several years before this happened again, I made a point to find a good location to see this sky show and was duly impressed. But as fine as the newspaper account had been, I felt there was another way to describe this phenomenon. A poetic way, perhaps.” There might be a full moon tonight, albeit an ordinary one.
Moonrise Over Tucson (April 26, 2002)
By William C Ross
By William C Ross
The Rincons have labored and brought forth a full moon
As fresh and pure as the warm desert air.
For April, the grass moon–or, some say, the egg moon–
Escapes the horizon and ascends with a flair.
Five of the Earth’s siblings keep watch in the west.
There’s Mercury and Venus and Jupiter and Mars.
And Saturn, with all of his own moons to deal with.
The Winter Triangle, the twinklers, are stars.
Many years will pass and moons wax and wane
Before this convergence aligns here again.
I will be elsewhere, otherwise occupied,
And must send my regrets to those who attend.
Please do me the honor to stand in my place
And marvel anew at the mysteries you see.
If any should ask, tell them that I loved nature,
And found in the mountains their own majesty.
Without a creator, there could be no creation,
Yet the scribes and the judges are perplexed as they stare
When the Rincons still labor and bring forth a full moon
As fresh and pure as the warm desert air.
Really enjoyed this one, thanks.
In AZ now searching for a new home!
This is a wonderful piece.
EL
And I really enjoyed your enjoying it. Let’s do it again.