Corn Moon

September's full orb is called "corn moon" . . .

Corn moon climbs in smoky vermillion
simmering the hazy vat she swims in
tempting the sizzling chilis to glisten
the cusp of harvest crisp and crimson.

Halfhearted sky in blackened copper
seems as if the dome might drop her
desolation thrums a tomato chopper
fire and brimstone will never stop her.

Blotting out a swath of starlight
ceaseless planet-circling satellite
furious onion the seething moonlight
glowering upon our greedy blight.

Piquant cilantro is tossed and torn
smoky cloak barely hides her scorn
a spicy promise of eventual morn
harvest furrows of aspirational corn.

Author's Note

California fires have turned the rising moon red.
If September's full moon were closer to the autumnal equinox (first day of autumn), it would also be called the harvest moon. But in 2020 the first full moon in October is the harvest moon and there will be a second full moon in October . . . which is called a blue moon.

Reviews

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Amazing how the atmosphere around us colors the celestial bodies. A very interesting fact presented in a lovely, flowing poem, dear Margie. I just loved the second verse. Fire and brimstone will never stop her. Indeed, she'll retain her mystique in any hue! Kudos!

The picture is just awesome!

[barleygirl]

I love that you love that particular line, becuz it's the crux of the moon's influence, to me -- that she keeps on floating thru her cycles, no matter what nonsense we humans are engaged in! Thanks for a great review (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Yes. Regardless of our nonsense...she shines on.
You are welcome, dear Margie!

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Love your rhyming here
Beautiful descriptives

[barleygirl]

Thanks for lifting my day, luv (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Wild Rose]

We had a harvest moon here last week
Large and bright in the sky. For a change, there were no clouds

Mind we don't begin harvesting until the weather is right

[barleygirl]

We still have 2 months of growing season here! I just planted new lettuce sprouts! But to me, "harvest" is a state of mind, more than a time when we pick plants. My garden has been pumping this summer & I've been loving it! Thanks for stopping by to share! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Christine Anne Shaw]

Wow Margie, a red moon. That is something I have never witnessed, but then we haven't had to suffer the wild fires that you have. I am really picking up on the smokey atmosphere here. Did it effect your breathing by any chance?I lIove your posted image. It is quite something, and your words certainly do it justice.

Chris

[barleygirl]

The thing I'm most happy about these days is how I feel pretty healthy (albeit w/constant pain) these days, despite all the tough stuff going around. My lungs are completely clear & I hardly even clear my throat, despite a month of smoke & ash. One of my fires has gotten ugly again & I posted something about it this morning. Thanks for stopping by (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dave]

Okay Moonchild - as I have an infinity for the sea, I know you have one for the moon. I have a beautiful telescope and I have many times enjoyed viewing the moon with it. It must be soooo different with it's light being affected by the fires and smoke.
I hope and pray that you are safe out there - Dave

[barleygirl]

There's a pesky fire near me that's getting ugly again. I posted something on it this morning. Despite heat & smoke & fire, I'm actually feeling pretty good physically & also in good spirits . . . thankful for that! Hope you are doing well, too! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dave]

Margie - can't you get, safely out of there or sn't that a rel worry for you?
PLease be safe - Dave

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The first stanza is perfect Margie and drew me in immediately. So full of colour, vista and smell. Shame the fires have to add to nature's own perfumes. The stanzas are crisp and metre is spot on. Lovely poem with wonderful depiction of the tableau.

[barleygirl]

WOW! This might be the best review I've gotten in a long while! Thanks for lifting my day into the stratosphere! Now I need a cup of coffee to cement this deal! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Robert Trakofler]

The corn fields are screaming to be picked here this is the time of year I used to ride my bike along the corn fields and steal a few ears from my neighbors:/ it was sort of a tradition watermelons in the summer and corn in the fall nothing taste better than a good piece of pilfered produce plunder:) of course all of the farmers would yell at us as we ran our dirt bikes thru the fields but you know that was just for show I think that we always probably gave them a chuckle:) judging from the looks we would get from the times we actually would go to the farm stand next to the dairy queen and "buy" produce for our mothers:) its so funny how you make me remember this stuff I guess that's the sign of a good poem the amount I ramble afterwards

[barleygirl]

I tried growing corn here, but didn't do well. I agree, corn must be picked & then eaten within minutes to get the full enjoyment of it. I feel that way about figs, too, which are on the cusp here & I'm out there pinching them daily to see if any are ready to munch! Thanks for your long rambling share (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Robert Trakofler]

morning Margie:)

[barleygirl]

I'm gonna be cooked sausage these 3 days . . . over 110*, possibly closer to 115*! Just a quickie heat wave, thankfully!

[Robert Trakofler]

oh my goodness that's terrible:(

[Patricia Wedel]

A nocturnal Moon where the blues croon and the harvest is ready to embrace.. a lovely taste of Corn and cilantro .. x Pat x

[barleygirl]

I love that you caught my salsa subtleties! Thanks for stopping by to share a moon (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Patricia Wedel]

Hi Margie... hope your weather is comfortable for you... and your furry friends are comfy too. Our weather is humid, but we have had lots of rain and that is a blessing... and now the sunshine ... hugs, Pat

[Pete]

an omen perhaps? good flow on a touchy subject and here i am thinking it's only on the cob. i'm in rhyme heaven, was hooked and drawn in from the get-go but so sad about that fiery, rouge moon. was a full moon last night but was obscured by clouds, showers and tropical humidity here. i am completely in touch with the seasons and what i see taking place in nature. even a time of harvest suffering. mother nature is powerful and delicate at the same time. we are her caretaker and better take heed. a grim reminder that gifts can be taken back ... :)


Corn moon climbs in smoky vermillion

[barleygirl]

This year has devolved to such an uninspiring level for me, I've decided to retreat further into my wilderness solitary in the hopes I can focus on nature & ignore all the strife & turmoil out there where humans dwell. Can a second wave of fresh raspberry buds drown it all out? Many days, for me, it does! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lorry]

No wonder our ancestors when they saw stuff like red moons and eclipses saw it as a bad omen.
Wonder what they'd say if they saw 2020, covid, forest fires, cartoon character presidents and prime ministers and zipsliding into recession armageddon. "eh, good luck with that mate, we're off back to the sophistication of living in caves and hitting anything that moves with a club."
And I'd be running behind them shouting "wait for me!" 😀
And a blue moon too! Is it just me or does anyone else see irony in the fact we didn't see this 2020 (twenty-twenty coming?) 😀

[barleygirl]

The old saying is: "it only happens once in a blue moon" . . . since there's a blue moon mere days before our prez election, I'm in a quandary as to whether that old saying predicts something good or something dire. Given how sucky 2020 has been, I'm afraid what this points to. Sigh! Thanks for your prophesizing! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[John the Baptist]

Very nice word picture here, bg, along with some good imagery and rhyming. Nature poetry may be your strong suit.

[barleygirl]

Thank you for this kind review. I used to think there were only so many "moon" poems I could write, but now I've decided to write a moon poem any time one strikes me! *smile* Fondly, Margie