The eclipse was on my mind all day yesterday even though I couldn’t watch it. I remember the total eclipse in August 2017 very well. My family made an event of it, bought the silly safety glasses and sat outside to watch. It was fun. What fascinated me the most was the way the sun cast crescent shaped shadows. I loved those. The whole experience was magical, like night and day meeting and declaring a truce.
In other parts of the world, they got to see a pretty cool eclipse yesterday when the moon exerted her power over the sun for a short time before moving on. That’s why I wrote this poem. However, as you know, I’m a fan of K-pop and yesterday Moonbin, a member of the Korean group Astro, died unexpectedly at the age of 25.
I’m not a huge Astro fan but I did know who Moonbin is, and K-pop fandom is like family (or a cult), so yes, I was shocked and sad when I heard of his death. It felt like someone close to me had died. I can’t imagine how his real fans felt. So I changed the last line a little bit and I’m dedicating this poem to him.
The Power of the Moon By Michelle Garren-Flye Watch now. This is where you’ll see. Day belongs to the sun, but watch! The moon drifts between and dims the light… Remember the last time when all the world grew dark on a cloudless day? I never told you, but I peeked and then I was afraid so I watched the crescent shadows cast by the leaves until the sun returned. But I couldn’t help but wonder: What if the moon decided not to move? What if he stayed?
Photo and poem copyright 2023 Michelle Garren-Flye
BREATHE: Michelle Garren-Flye 