Lots of family obligations lately, which means not much writing time. But even when life is busy, there is time to go out and gaze at the moon -- especially when it's a "super moon." How beautiful was that last one? Answer: VERY BEAUTIFUL.
In honor of my seasonal moon madness, I offer up this poem by Carl Sandburg. It doesn't have the formal inventiveness I usually like -- but I love the boy with the accordion, I love the old man and the cherry trees, and most of all I love the fact that it is, at heart, all summer and all moon.
Happy Poetry Friday! Only a few more weeks of summer left - make the most of them.
Back Yard
Shine on, O moon of summer.
Shine to the leaves of grass, catalpa and oak,
All silver under your rain to-night.
An Italian boy is sending songs to you to-night from an accordion.
All silver under your rain to-night.
An Italian boy is sending songs to you to-night from an accordion.
A Polish boy is out with his best girl; they marry next
month;
to-night they are throwing you kisses.
to-night they are throwing you kisses.
An old man next door is dreaming over a sheen that sits in a
cherry tree in his back
yard.
The clocks say I must go—I stay here sitting on the back
porch drinking
white thoughts you rain
down.
Shine on, O moon,
Shake out more and more silver changes.
--Carl Sandburg
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Today's Poetry Friday round-up is being hosted by Irene Latham over at Live Your Poem. Head over there to see what other people have posted.
I love Sandburg's simplicity.
ReplyDeleteThat photo of the accordion player is a hoot. And so joyous!
Love this poem and that boy with the accordion!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, shine on! Love this post, Julie, the poem and the wonderful photographs too.
ReplyDeleteYes! Shake out those silver changes! Love poems that celebrate change. O summer! Thanks for sharing, Julie. xo
ReplyDelete"The clocks say I must go—I stay here"
ReplyDeleteThanks for this offering to your "moon madness," Julie. And like the others, I am charmed by the accordion player!
Hi, Julie. Beautiful poem. We just published a poem about Carl Sandburg on the first trans-Atlantic commercial flight in Little Patuxent Review. I'll have to send it on to you!
ReplyDeleteJulie, that August moon was spectacular. Thanks for pointing out Sandburg's moon poem.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about this Carl Sandburg poem - it is filling. Food for the soul indeed, as is the sight of the supermoon. :)
ReplyDeleteTonight I will throw kisses at the moon. Thanks for sharing this beautiful, new-to-me poem.
ReplyDeleteThis Sandburg poem is new to me as well, Julie. Thanks for sharing it and the great photo of the accordion boy! Too cute! = )
ReplyDelete