My fascination with the moon
waxed in childhood when
I orbited the television
to glimpse the Eagle that took
a Giant Leap, landed in the history
book, went in peace for all mankind.

That night I dressed up to go dreaming
in flannel pajamas
to watch the green cheese face
rise over the curtain top
to listen to the moonlight
serenade me.

Years later sitting in Astronomy
listening to the scientific nebula
I reached escape velocity
and dreamed of the gravity defying cow
and the owl and the pussycat
who sailed on.

Even though childhood pleasures
are long eclipsed,
the nocturnal sky transports,
reminds me that moonlight
still becomes me.

Moon Rise
Copyright © 2003, Christopher J. Picking