FULL SNOW MOON - MY FAVORITE MOON POEMS

Poet Kathryn Stripling Byer

My all time favorite moon poem was written by  Kathryn Stripling Byer. 

Full Moon

Full moon says I am

over the pinebreak, says give me

your empty glass, pour

all you want, drink, look

out through your windows of ice,

through the eyes of your needles

observe how I climb, lay aside

what you weave on your looms

and see clouds fall away
like cold silk from your shoulders,
be quiet, hear the owl coming back
to the hayloft, shake loose
your long braids and rise up
from your beds, open
windows and curtains, let light
pour like water upon your heads,

all of you women who wait, raise
the shades, throw the shutters
wide, lean from your window ledge
into the great night that beckons
you, smile back at me
and so quietly nobody can hear you
but you, whisper, "Here am I."

Click below to download a recording of Kathryn Byer reading "Full Moon"

from BLACK SHAWL., LSU Press

• "Full Moon" [mp3, 870kb] to hear Kathryn Stripling Byer read it.

My second most favorite moon poem is  also written by Kathryn Stripling Byer

"Empty Glass" from WILDWOOD FLOWER, LSU Press

"Empty Glass" [mp3, 527kb] To hear Kathryn Stripling Byer read it.

In EMPTY GLASS she writes of the dark night, dark moon,

reminding us that the moon is up there, even if we cannot see it.

FULL MOON OF FEBRUARY 2011 AND THE QUESTION ABOUT POETS AND THE MOON

(Moon over the Mountains by Lynn Hamilton Rutherford)

MOON REACHES FULLNESS  on February 18, 2011.  

According to The Farmer’s Almanac, this is The Full Snow Moon. Full Snow Moon is the most popular name, however,  because of the challenge and difficulty of hunting in winter, the Algonquin tribe chose the name Full Hunger Moon.  The Cherokee named February’s moon Full Bony Moon.

THE QUESTION  - POETS AND THE MOON

A question I have often asked is, do poets pay more attention to the moon than others do?  So far, there has not been much discussion on the topic, but I do think second to scientists. Almost all practicing poets have a moon poem. The poet of the month of February on this site Helen Lass has or will have seven poems reprinted here before the end of the month. All seven poems have a reference to moon. I hope you will read them. I’m fascinated with Mary Oliver’s moon poems.  I also like Christina’s Rosetti’s moon poem.(below)

Is the moon tired? she looks so pale

Within her misty veil:

She scales the sky from east to west,

And takes no rest.

Before the coming of the night
The moon shows papery white;
Before the dawning of the day
She fades away.

From Sing-Song by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)