AN OCTOBER MOON

Driving a north Georgia highway on an October night,

I played peek-a-boo with a beautiful autumn moon.

Between the trees and hills it popped out it's bright face,

Only to disappear to wait to shine out it's beautiful tune.

"I'm here!" it shouts. And then it's light is gone.

It teases and taunts, making me desperate to pause.

Where can I go? Which way must I turn to find delight?

I have no place to stop. Alone, there is no sense or cause.

 

The brilliant platter beckons through the branches of the trees.

It shows itself only for a moment, and the branches whisk it away.

I see in the opposing sky a faint hue of paler tint.

I'm losing time. I need to run. Yonder comes the day.

Oh, yesteryear! I ache to embrace the joys

Of autumn nights when I was young and in another world.

Those nights flew quickly by and I knew no fears.

Ah! Had I known the nights to come to be unfurled!

But innocence protects us from advancing signs

Of bitter nights that provide us with no gorgeous moon.

So, I'll savor this fleeting moment of a graceful gift,

And pray that the moment won't leave me too soon.

I reach my home front just in time

To witness the oncoming glow of the beautiful new day.

The crisp, damp air bites when I leave for the door.

I turn to see the moon smile, but it's gone away.

Tomorrow, I think. But the voice reminds me

That it will never be the same. It cannot be quite

The wonder of tonight's splendor revealed to me

Driving on a north Georgia highway on an October night.