The Eclipse (1975) Poem by Daniel Brick
The Eclipse (1975)
I remember that hot July night
we sat huddled on the highest hill
in West St. Paul, pulling blankets
tight against the relentless assault
of mosquitoes, despite the humid heat.
And we watched as the Moon eclipsed
planet Mars. For forty minutes, the Moon
loomed, blood-red, a counterfeit Mars,
so close to our questing eyes, our minds
were deceived. We reached out to you, Mars!
With our hearts, we reached out -
stretching toward you, yearning for contact!
Then, the moment passed, and the Moon
was once again just the Moon, and we were....
who are also fascinated by astronomy (!) , were wild with delight, those little vampires. On the serious side, my association of the eclipse with a Mars landing came during the forty minutes we watched, and it grew stronger over the next several weeks. Carl Sagan even speculating at that time that a joint project of a Mars landing involving the USA and the USSR would ease Cold War tensions. The only two space-traveling nation-states, and we're still ignoring our Space Age Destiny because of nationalistic politics.
A lovely poem, Daniel. I try to watch all the eclipses and conjunctions and showers. I drift into a place in space where my thoughts reflect off of the stars and focus on our globe.
That is magnificiant. The way you pictured the moment is fascinating. Beautiful poem and well done.
A spectacular scene is wonderfully captured.... the lunar eclipse of 1975, something similar to the one that happened in April 2014.....! The moon turning blood red rescembles closely to Mars the red planet! From your poem, I can feel the humidity of the hot night of July and visualize you sitting all covered under a blanket.... a desperate alternative to protect yourself from the menacing mosquitoes! Yet you opted to remain on top of the hill to have a more arresting view of this very rare phenomenon! After a 40 minute's camouflaging, the moon was back to her former self! This poem can be referred back, when we study about lunar eclipses!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
4/17/2024 9:18:52 PM # 1.0.0.1119
excellent poem. I enjoy your work.