5 a.m. Waning Crescent Moon

The sun has fired up the moon this morning,
so much there’s steam rising from its Sea of Rain

or so it appears there to the east, above the harbor
between Saturn and Mars — not to forget our place

its ten degrees high, just right of the circlet of Pisces
where Aphrodite and Eros tether together forever

a thunderous moment — for gods and humans alike
all of us illuminated and roaring through space

the birds are well aware and in an uproar
a predawn cacophony of sound and sacrament

a chorus of gulls calls out from the shore,
a crow offers its blessing, the doves in mournful prayer

grieve the night’s quiet before it ends
the day quickly writhing and rising to meet us

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Poem ©2024, Jen Payne. Photo by Alan Dyer. For more see his website. If you like this poem, you can read similar in my books and zines, available from Three Chairs Publishing on my ETSY SHOP. They come autographed, with gratitude and a small gift.