I've been having so much fun reading the Cybils finalists. When I was at the library this week, I also picked up a 2011 poetry book I'd like to share with you: A FULL MOON IS RISING, poems by Marilyn Singer with pictures by Julia Cairns. The moon is the focal point of all the poems, which are set in different parts of the world. For someone with a traveler's heart like me, it's a great way to get a quick fix of other lives and cultures. And it's true: the moon is the same wherever you go. What a comfort that is when one is far from home or without the ones we love best.Moon Festival
Hong Kong, China
Look up!
Rabbit, dragon, butterfly, carp:
lanterns parading by.
Look around!
All of us together,
sampling these sweet cakes--
red bean and lotus paste--
each with a surprise inside:
a salty egg, round and golden
as the glorious eighth moon.
- Marilyn Singer
Moon Illusion
Cape Town, South Africa
outside their new brick house
in the dusty township,
Mama takes in the wash and asks her children
what they learned today in school.
her daughter grins "I learned that nobody's sure
why the moon looks so big on teh horizon."
Her son bends over and peers at the sky through his legs.
"And I learned how to shrink that moon."
Such smart children." Mama laughs.
"Bright as the moon!"
- Marilyn Singer
High Tide
Bay of Fundy, Canada
Sail on a Saturday.
Sail on a Monday.
You'll find the highest tides of all
here, in the Bay of Fundy.
Sail at a new moon.
Sail at a full.
Waters spring up to their peak
to heed the lunar pull.
One hundred billion tonnes of water
in and out the bay.
One hundred billion tonnes of water
two times every day.
Sail in December
or sail in June.
Set out on a high tide.
Always thank the moon.
- Marilyn Singer
Have YOU ever written a "moon" poem? It's one of those words we poets seem to like!
I love this book, Irene! I used to do a moon study, art, science, poetry, with students, and found many books & poems about the moon. This is a treasure. Don't you love that "salty egg, round and golden/as the glorious eighth moon." Thanks for reminding me! (I too am enjoying the Cybils books!)
ReplyDeleteI love this book too! The moon is endlessly mysterious and fascinating and I love all the different views we are afforded via Marilyn's poems.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection - I've seen a copy at our local library, and now I shall have to check it out and read all the poems.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we have this one at the library. I'll have to check to see if it's still in print. At the library we're gearing up for Chinese New Year and "Moon Festival" would be a great tie-in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this collection, Irene. I've put this book on hold at the library. =)
ReplyDeleteYup. I've written at least one moon poem. No, wait...I wrote one just last week when the moon was full. So make that at least TWO!
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