Moon, I come so far
to be dazzled
but not by you.
I come for the Milky Way,
for its points of light
sprayed across the sky.
But your ancient mask glows
wide its tranquil mist
over rocky hills,
these salty flats of
Death Valley--the darkest place
on earth except on
nights when you
illuminate all--
even the atmosphere,
even the solitude.
In your light I feel this earth--
its vastness, its great unknown,
all its ancient dust blown
on these battered stones.
But not a reason for it.
