A Moon Brighter Than the Sun

The moon, without brightness of its own, asked the sun for 
a daily loan of light.

To which the sun, jealous of its monopoly on light, responded, “You will reflect but a mere fraction of my brilliance.”

“Then I will have to make it count,” thought the moon.  

Thus night is alive with sights touched by the moon and made brighter by shadows,  

a lone ship moving soundlessly on a lunar sea,
cobblestones glistening after rain,
a woman’s dress ablaze with sequins on a balcony,
a caravan silhouetted atop a sand dune,  
the feeling confessed by the eyes of two would-be lovers on a country lane, 
a baby asleep in a cradle, moonlit through the bedroom window. 

Glimpses which the sun, with its all-illuminating light, would only hide.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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artlyy Avatar
September 16, 2026 at 7:52 AM
I've really been enjoying your poem and the emotions and imagery were so vivid that i could easily picture them as beautiful illustration. I'm a commission-based manga/webtoon artist, and I'd love to help bring your story to life if you're ever interested. Feel free to reach out at gm@il : akiracomicart2@ or on inst@ akiraa_artly
Agustin Avatar
April 17, 2024 at 12:51 AM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Hind Avatar
February 22, 2023 at 9:50 AM
Nice work! I can hear the moon speaking!
John Avatar
February 10, 2023 at 7:29 AM
Lovely way to think of moonlight, Bernard. I've enjoyed this.
Ray Avatar
February 9, 2023 at 3:33 PM
a great walk in the moonlight...loved it
Robertson Avatar
February 9, 2023 at 2:42 PM
you write such lovely poems.
DiMino Avatar
December 26, 2021 at 5:16 PM
This is just splendid. Excellent imagery! Wow! Awaken the children slowly, carefully, or they may feel little more than shadows, frantic with light. Joe.
Chan Avatar
December 28, 2021 at 6:27 AM
Thanks a lot, Joe. Appreciated.
Sankey- Lewis Avatar
May 22, 2021 at 11:37 AM
Wow!! I read again and again and arrived at the end of your art of gem. Philosophically sweet. What wonderful Ode to Moon by a brilliant man.
Chan Avatar
May 26, 2021 at 4:15 AM
Thanks very much, Iris. So kind of you.
Woodrow Avatar
February 16, 2021 at 8:36 AM
oh I love all those moonlit glimpses! lovely to see your writes again :)
Chan Avatar
February 16, 2021 at 7:09 PM
Hey Susan, how are ya? Thanks. Stay safe :)
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