The Moon And You
for Al Harris
The beams of that clear full moon
purported to purify, heal, release
past pain and bring rapid change.
We, your two companions, could feel it
on our dusk walk below the Palisades,
along the Hudson’s edge, after dinner.
Dan and I laughed, said it seemed all
things in our lives closing, opening
to new chapters, new connections.
Dan went home. Later I sat alone
outside my apartment looking at that
special moon moving in the sky.
I saw it strike a tree, dissolve into cloud.
Next day, something kept me from going
out again. Then the call from your family:
Come quickly. Al’s back in Hackensack
Hospital. He’s not expected to see the day out.
I was minutes too late to say good-bye.
I sat in ICU, keeping your body company.
Dan arrived, broke down. Michelle, too.
We talked about it and were mad at that moon,
moon, moon, and you for leaving.