Moon and Heart

Gibbous moon
devoured by our shadow,

                                                            gibbous heart
                                                            quicker than moons to wane.

High moon or rising
night’s center.

                                                            Eccentric heart
                                                            tipped sideways like a mango.

Waxing moonlight,
douser
of ever farther
constellations;

                                                            waning heart
                                                            douser
                                                            of brief
                                                            and briefer hopes.

Full moon,

                                                            fool heart:

                                                  masters 
                                   of the one night stand.

—E. Castendyk Briefs

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