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Nancy Simpson's LIVING ABOVE THE FROST LINE, New and Selected Poems was published by Carolina Wren Press (N.C. Laureate Series, 2010.) She is the author of ACROSS WATER and NIGHT STUDENT, State Street Press, still available on WWW at Alibris and Books Again. Her poems have been published in Southern Poetry Review, Prairie Schooner, The Georgia Review and other literary magazines. "Carolina Bluebirds" was published in THE POETS GUIDE TO THE BIRDS, Anhinga Press). "Grass" was reprinted in the 50th Anniversary Issue of Southern Poetry Review: DON'T LEAVE HUNGRY ( U.of Arkansas Press.) Seven poems were reprinted in the textbook, SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN POETRY,(McFarland.) Two poems were published in SOLO CAFE, Two more poems were published in SOLO NOVO."In the Nantahala Gorge" was published in Pisgah Review. "Studying Winter" was reprinted in Pirene's Fountain Anthology and "The Collection" in Collecting Life Anthology. Most recently, Southern Poetry Review Edited by James Smith, published "Our Great Depression," and The Southern Poetry Anthology Vol. VII: NORTH CAROLINA,Edited by William Wright, reprinted "Leaving in the Dead of Winter."

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Fascinated By the Worm Moon - See Moon Tonight





If you take a look at The Worm Moon tonight, on March 24, 2010, this is most likely what you will see. (photo courtesy of U.S. Naval Observatory) With diligence, you will see The Full Worm Moon on March 29, 2010.
Full Worm Moon caught in the branches, northside of Cherry Mountain, taken on March 27, 2010, by photograher Lynn Hamilton Rutherford.


This moon has a number of names, but "Worm Moon" fascinates us most. It is said that in March the ground begins to thaw and warm. Earthworm casts are seen. Robbins return in number.

In the coldest climates, native tribes called the March full moon "Full Crust Moon" because for them that described the land, thawing in the daytime, refreezing at night.

"Full Sap Moon" was a name used during Colonial America because the March full moon was the time for collecting maple sap.

"Full Crow Moon" was a name used because it was a time when the crows were first heard cawing at the end of winter.

"Lenten Moon" has been used to name this moon also because it is the last moon of winter.

The name that held strong is Full Worm Moon. Once our vision gets past images of worms to full fields of robins, it remains the favored name of the March moon.

If you live near Wasatch Mountain State Park in Utah, you might want to join the full moon hike that is planned for March 27th, 2010.

Or step outside your house one night between now and full moon - March 29th.

One warning about this moon, it will wake you in the night with its brightness, or maybe as with the faint ticking of a clock, you will wake to hear the smallest sound of earthworms turning.

3 comments:

Glenda Council Beall said...

Love the moon facts and the wonderful idea that we hear the earthworms turning.
Neat!

Tipper said...

Wonderful post Nancy!!! I don't think I've ever heard of the worm moon-but I know I'll never forget it now : )

Nancy Simpson said...

Hello Glenda and Tipper, In a few days robbins will cover yards and fields. We'll know why and how it all began with the full moon of March and the waking
of the earthworms. It's amazing, but not amazing at all. Everything on this earth and within the universe are connected to each other. The moon affects blood flow and ocean tide. The full moon of March wakes worms under the earth, and robbins must return to the fields.