It’s a moon, only a moon; one of many moons 
in this incomprehensibly immeasurable universe, but
it is the Moon we know. It is the one we identify with. 
Burning more brightly than it has in decades, 
people are talking like they’ve never before noticed. 
Light reflecting, radiance filling the space 
that is our darkness. It has always been there. 
We all stare up. We wonder. You never wonder 
like you do under a full moon. In awe of the light, 
we seek out contentment 
but do we consider what it illuminates?
Not all of it is good. 
There is far too much bitterness, and shouting. 
All this blame and shame. It is ugly and unnecessary, 
fodder for gossip and hatred, and worse. 
Nightfall is a blessing, as much as a curse. The issues 
that separate us are still there at dawn. 
Many times we use the blackness as an excuse to
ignore what is not always visible. We close our eyes, 
hoping our problems disappear. They wait for morning, 
perhaps magnified. It’s brighter, harder to ignore 
what you forget, or neglect, or abhor.
Is there a message in the Moon, all this light, and 
what it might be saying? It comes at a time 
when we need to listen, and take a closer look 
at all that surrounds us. The Moon 
casts its gentle wisdom; it does in any phase. 
It does not have to be full to have a purpose. 
The courage is there. Always. Chose to see what 
needs to be done, what has to be said. Shine on.

© 2016 j.g. lewis