Moonlight At Midnight Poem by Denis Martindale

As I was walking up the stairs, I saw my window's view.
Then moonlight melted all my cares as sometimes great sights do.
I gazed upon the moon so clear it took my breath away,
Because time cost the moon so dear, now battered in decay.
The Universe bombarded still across the centuries,
As if, somehow, this was God's will, that it should not know peace.
The moon of centuries gone by was not the moon I saw,
For now, it crossed the midnight sky revealing every flaw.
Each little mark that I could see was truly huge in size,
Much more than was revealed to me before my very eyes.
But then compassion made me stay, reflecting on its loss,
Still serving Mankind night and day, prepared to bear its cross.
A light that shines no matter what, precisely placed in space
And giving everything it's got, for this world to embrace.
A challenge to the astronaut with his technology,
To every lesson he was taught about astronomy.
No wonder that I stopped and stared at all Mankind's achieved,
When finally he was prepared through wisdom he received.
To think, what yet may come to pass, to venture forth much more?
Perhaps to even conquer Mars? Who knows what lies in store?
But this I know, that I have lived, to see this sight above,
To recognise this as a gift God granted me in love.
My eyes are precious, this I know, much more than words can say.
To gaze upon this moonlight glow as midnight melts away…


Denis Martindale July 2020.