The Function Of The Moon Poem by GORDON GILHULY

the function of the moon

the creation of tides

and lunacy



tides in the blood:

high tide, deep water

wrecks of the past slip farther down

into the darkness

where only old eyes can see them

when the moon is out

I have no such eyes;

when the moon is out

I cannot hear the ghosts

for they cannot swim

to the distant surface.

soon they will slip beyond

the continental shelf

into the abyss



tides in the blood:

high tide, deep water

you approach; loving tendrils

pull me past the mundane of everyday

ebb and flow to where new treasures

wash ashore; where new eyes

that know the meaning of moonlight

the softness of moonlight

can see them, can know their worth.

when the moon is out

I have such eyes

when the moon is out

I have such ears

that can hear the songs of the siren

of the mermaid who loves deep water

who swims in my blood

who is the new Atlantis.



this is the lunacy then:

the madness that makes me whole

that gives me eyes full of treasures

ears full of song.

this is the function of the moon.



last night the moon was out