Moonshine

By Cella Coffin

This is for you while the moon fattens

above the city abloom again

with inviolate millennia

though still incomplete, still playing

to the planets.

We are not yet acknowledged; our gifts

have not yet arrived from the streets.

            (Patience, please, impatient one:

            a new step here, another hour there,

            one more refrain of rosegold neon heartsong

            will surely turn the trick

            tomorrow night and bring the moon about.)

And this is for you fishing in

heart of hearts while the moon banks

on you alone – the bait—

while street lights beam in mechanical unison

and windows glitter in bold invitation.

            (A little more incandescence, please.)

O this is for you while the moon blooms

in full sweet resolve,

unmasking alleys where love hides in vain

Yes and this is for you and moonglow

melting down bars of sad dark

while singers are stringing bright harmonies

high on new tunes

and dreamers are casting platinum rods

to catch the night’s loose radiance

            (Have faith, wandering one, trust the vision, please.)

And this is for you while the moon wanes

and we roam dreams and secret routes

where few follow except for one

who stumbles in pain and cries Wait! Wait!

Stay where you are one moment more!

This time I promise I’ll shine for you

enough to show it is really love

(with Fancy handy at the helm)

which lights our way not the moon alone.