Moonstruck

Moon-struck


Green waters lapping in eternal sound
engulfed a bay of sunlit tranquil shore.
A soft warm wind scattered the scudding clouds
turned playfully and mockingly to hound
the sun, exposing Selene's body more and more
as sunlight it was all that Selene wore.

Her strong white hands were holding back the reins
to pull Poseidon's horses and restrain
the lashing tide, the flashing white of manes,
the galloping of waves in her domain.

And yet in crashing splendour they would die
and sigh as they retreat to sink beneath
receptive sands as smooth as velvet fleece
leaving a shimmering circle, like an eye.

The beauty and the wildness of the sphere
disturbs my thoughts, so calm before and clear;
when distances perturbed, and out of order
all seeps into my sleep, where on and on it seems
the waters break and crash against the border
of many shaken and disturbing dreams.

Selena was Moon Goddess and daughter of Hyperion and Theia. She is a favourite of many poets. A moonlight night brings mixed feelings, the sweetness and bitterness of romance. It is said that Selena’s moon rays fall upon sleeping mortals as her kisses fell upon her many lovers. She is also called LUNA. She was usually represented as a woman with a crescent moon on her head driving a two-horse chariot. As LUNA she had temples at Rome on the Aventine and Palatine hills