The Moon's Sadness

Many nights ago, close to sleep,

But not all that far

From awake, I decided

To be happy.

I looked at the stars and I

Begged the moon

To take the empty sadness,

Away.

I was greeted with no response

Save for the blink

Of the lights and a soft

Cool breeze.

Through the small gap in my window

I consumed the moon’s breath.

It travelled through each inch

Of me.

Cooling my tongue, making my heart

Shudder, wrapping itself

Around my ribs before

I exhaled.

And there I lay much closer not only

To sleep but to her, certain

That she had taken my despair

Upon herself.

Although known for her beauty,

Light and humble glow, she possessed

Too much sadness
To hold mine.

Night after night she grew smaller

Shrinking with each apology

To me, growing in the darkness

Of her guilt.

It was then that I learned of her sacrifice

Heartbreak and loss, for each morning she died

So that her love, the sun,

Could live.

With my reclaimed sadness I carried

New knowledge but still wondered

Why it was that the moon

Persevered so.

Was his love worth losing

Herself over and over

And over again?
I wondered.

Finally I thought to ask the sun

In all his nobility and life yielding radiance

He answered my every

Question.

“She disappears not because she loves me,

Though that makes for a simple explanation.

Her light reduces out of

Pure selflessness.

Because you see, she is wiser than you and I

And she knows that although you love

By her darkness,

You live by my light.”