cool sheets of woven moonlight
unfolded and wrapped around
lightly shivering dew-kissed children,
small flowering vibernum and lilac.
still ebony velvet night curtain
hacked to pieces with young buds
screams for attention, begging mother moon
to warm them from the cruel sprites
who come after dusk
tickling flora with frigid dew spray
mother moon strips herself bare
pearl arms working quickly to create
makeshift moonbeam blanket
warming her poor freezing children
unconcerned for her own well-being
just as any good mother would be
protecting her progeny.
11 May 1998