What the Moon Wants

A poem by Richard Lyons.

2021

Months--Poetry
Poetry

en-US

text

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Richard Lyons_What the Moon Wants.pdf

Copyright protected by Richard Lyons. Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required.

Note on transcription: This transcription may not reflect the poetic form established by the poet. Please refer to the PDF file of this poem available in the Files section for proper formatting.

What the Moon Wants

A moist white cheese fresh from the dairy,
a fresh stippling of snow, an evening
devoid of wishing, the grapefruit scent
of a Sauvignon Blanc, the voice of Edith Piaf—
who could forget her?  A bright flower
fixed at the hairline, Billie Holiday—
who could forget her? 
What does the water want? 
It wants to lie still.  Still as breath.
It wants to rush the lower depths.
The moon wants desire freed from time.
It wants the curve of a tangerine,
a guitar, the curve of elbow or thigh— 
where light and dark vie for sweet concentration.