I’ve seen the sun rise often, but seldom the moon;

so when the full, unclouded moon last night

rose up from out the ocean’s full horizon

in pock-marked powder-pinkish through the haze,

and slowly dribbled color on the waves,

and while behind, that other crimson light

deferred to cede the heavens for the night

to the understudy, I, in awe,

stood on the sand between them, very small,

most likely imperceptible to these,

the weekend tourists in from who-knows-where,

preoccupied and gussied for the night,

who watch it from their hotel balconies.