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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."

Saturday, March 19, 2011

BIG AND BRIGHT, THE FULL WORM MOON OF MARCH,2011



The Full Worm Moon got it’s name from native American tribes long ago when  they noticed earthworms and saw flocks of robins in the fields eating them. This signaled the approach of spring. 




The Full Worm Moon of 2011, also being called a supermoon,  will reach fullness tonight on March 19th. At this time earth and the moon nudges closer to each other and will be viewed as the biggest full moon in nineteen years. This moon at Perigee will appear 14 percent larger to the people of earth than it has since 1992.  With the right atmospheric conditions, the Full Worm Moon of 2011 might also appear brighter.
There is much talk at this time in the scientific community.  Some say that the last time the moon passed this close to Earth was on January 10, 2005 around the time of the Indonesian earthquake. Hurricane Katrina was also associated with a large, full moon. Some are saying that this Full Worm Moon of 2011  is what caused the Earthquake and Tsunami this month on March 11th in Japan.  Most scientists say that is not true. 
The moon controls the tides of earth, yes.  I’m not a scientists, but rather a poet who sees the moon as the powerful, stabalizing and helpful force that it is. If this were not true, we would have chaos nightly. 
When you look up at the Full Worm Moon tonight, remember that no moon will appear this close again until November 14, 2016. It might be the brightest moon you have ever seen. 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nancy, thank you for all these fascinating facts on the fabulous moon the other night. We had late supper on the deck, awaiting its rise, and I hoped you were out there too, waiting for the glory!

Maren O. Mitchell

Nancy Simpson said...

Hello Maren, it was good to see you at Writers Night Out. Yes, I've enjoyed this full moon every night, even though I did not get a good photo of it.

Joan Ellen Gage Admin said...

It was a glorious moon here in Florida. I walked hand in hand with my husband late in the evening and watched the moon riding high in the sky.

Nancy Simpson said...

Hello Joan, It's so good to hear from you. Thanks for the comment about the moon. There is an old song that says "The moon belongs to everyone. The best things in life are free." The moon can be enjoyed alone but is all the greater if you have someone to share it with. Also, speaking of old songs, the one I was raised on was "Moon Over Miami, shine on my love and me."