The Constant Moon
Night comes into its kingdom. The blue gauze
that hides the heavens from us has dissolved,
and I can see the zodiac at work
upon our destinies. The great machine
turns through the quadrants as beneath its gaze,
the town is sleeping. It is 2 a.m.
Off to the East lies China now, beyond
the Tien Shan mountains. And across the plain
that stretches from their foothills go the miles.
Here, one might ride a horse. It’s not unknown
to cross the steppe on horseback. I have seen
a rider in his saddle as the sun
throned at the zenith. This is Kazakhstan.
But now, the wandering planets in their arc,
lit like the Moon, progress. And I am told
I am a water sign. It’s true, the sea
speaks to my heart. It’s true, I feel the pull
of Moon and tide, the tug and the release
of water at the shore or in the deep.
The Moon exerts that influence. And in
my weary veins, I feel it yet. The night
is no epiphany, because the Moon
is constant, there’s no end to it. You might
have seen it in the saddle overhead.
The Constant Moon
Yes, the moon has always had a mystic, for many reasons, though my favourite lines touched on exotic places...the steppes and horse riders, Kazakhstan, the Tien Shan mountains. I'm not, and will never be s traveller, but I do enjoy reading of faraway places.
Hi Phil,
I'm glad you enjoyed the rider and the steppe! The Tien Shan mountains are just south of Almaty, they crop up as you wander round town. China is the other side. And I remember that rider, as I gazed out over the steppe from the night train between Almaty and Astana.
Cheers,
John
I'm glad you enjoyed the rider and the steppe! The Tien Shan mountains are just south of Almaty, they crop up as you wander round town. China is the other side. And I remember that rider, as I gazed out over the steppe from the night train between Almaty and Astana.
Cheers,
John