Under the Lake Superior Moon

there was
the lake superior moon
nosing it’s way through
the horizon
penetrating the sky
conceiving the night.

there was
the lake superior moon
a polished silver plate
reflecting
an encore of daylight
into the warm minnesota night.

there was
the lake superior moon
invisible in the day 
full of light
with the lovers like fingers
tracing the shore
laughing through the parks
gazing in cafés
listening to 
children
playing
waves
lapping
seagulls
crying.

there was
the lake superior moon
in the gray pathway
and the blue lovers
shadowing down
through the wild raspberry patch
into the shimmering magic
that surrounds
the rock.

there was the lake
superior moon
reigning over the apostles
sending
glittering disciples
across the spirit-stirred surface
of tiny wavelets
listening with ears perked.

there was the lake
superior moon
spotlighting the Chinese saltie 
gliding a heavy cargo of mandarin oranges
slicing silently through the reflection
spreading its wake.

there was
the lake superior moon
blushing silver pink as
the caressing lovers
wrestle entangled
on the rock amidst
wet wake crescendo surges 
and the ship steams toward port
calling out one long and two shorts
the guardian bridge responds
lifting, gently, slowly, to receive it
home again

there was
the lake superior moon
nosing it’s way through
the horizon
penetrating the sky
conceiving the night


© 1997, 1999 - William Edward Ilse