I Want To See A Moon With You

by Helen Bar-Lev

1.

I want to see the new moon with you

the moon that is almost invisible

so thin only a diamond could have sliced it

so wispy a slight wind could blow it away

this is a moon for women

a sliver in the heavens

an outline more brilliant that the whole itself

it supports the weight of its darkened globe

squint your eyes to see its fullness

blacker than the black that surrounds it

it is a portal for new beginnings

ancient man was pulled to it too,

recorded it on the walls of caves

carved amulets in its shape

from the beginning of history and before

women have celebrated it, worshipped it,

danced in its dimmed light

spies have applauded it

2.

I want to see a half moon with you

lit as if to conserve energy

tip it to your lips like a silver goblet,

drink in its shine

it is a sphere split in the middle

like an orange, a watermelon

suspended in its forlorn orbit

no awes for this unfortunate orb

its other half is hidden

it will spend a month

gradually being reunited with it,

its completion, its reason for being

this is an insecure moon,

doubtful of its ability to reunite

with its twin soul

we empathize with this moon

reach up to touch it

to reassure it

that it will be whole again, soon

3.

I want to see a full moon with you

surreal and sensual

a holy day moon, a mood moon,

it guides dreams and tides

this is a masculine mood

watch it rise silently,

pale to yellow to silver to white

illuminating this mountain

casting an aura around us

surrounding us with a cloak of light

attractive as an actor

it has everything in its favour

it has been praised in poems, howled to,

described in so many ways that it’s become a cliché

proud, bold, noble,

a counterpoint to the sun in the afternoon,

it commands attention,

will never bore nor be ignored

4.

I want to walk on a carpet of dew

on a mountain that looms above all discord

paint on a canvas that renders the mundane ethereal

and love eternal

I want to view

all the phases

of the moon

with you

* * * * *

© 6.2017 Helen Bar-Lev

Helen Bar-Lev was born in New York in 1942. www.helenbarlev.com  She holds a B.A. in Anthropology, has lived in Israel for 46 years and has had over 90 exhibitions of her landscape paintings, 34 of which were one-woman shows. Her poems and artwork have appeared in numerous online and print anthologies. Six poetry collections, all illustrated by Helen. She is the Amy Kitchener senior poet laureate. Helen was nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2013 and is the recipient of the Homer European Medal for Poetry and Art. Helen is Assistant to the President of Voices Israel. She lives in Metulla, Israel.