Ten Moons

And then came the ten moons

Full in the sun’s glare, and the seraphim,

And it was light all night in the orchards

And on the plains and even in the towns

And mankind rejoiced, because it was now the case

That the wrecking and equivocating could carry on

The pale night long. Mankind rejoiced

And went forth to those places twelve hours of light

Had not made it worth the while to despoil

And gamboled collectively on the cliff tops

And regarded the night-broiling of the sea

Hitherto forbidden, but now opened in festival.

Half the world’s time unpeeled and exposed

So fruit might ripen faster and trees flourish higher

And forced photosynthesis green all the land.

Then night ramblers, night-sun-worshippers,

Night-motorists fanned out and made the most

Of spectral light, which bleached out stars and even

The cozy old moon herself, who had

Once held a sickle broadside to the sun, and now

Was a hollow daytime shadow.   

Only a few old believers slept

Hand in hand, shoulder to breast,   

As if their lives depended on it, knowing yet

That the morning would bring nothing

Because the day knew no beginning

And had no end.