Chapter 43
Looking up
at the moon
is a woman.
On her cheek
there is a tear.
In the tear there is
a teacher.
In the teacher
is a story.
In the story
is the moon.
Looking up at that moon
is a woman.
On her cheek
there is a tear.
In the tear
there is a teacher.
In the teacher
is a story.
In the story
is the moon.
“There’s a tie that binds all creatures
That is like a silver strand
And it crosses every ocean
And it reaches every land
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by lord, by and by…”
Your poem is an example of how shifts in phrasing effect shifts in meaning and feeling. Other than the inclusion of “that,” the two stanza(?) are word-to-word the same. But the differing line-breaks alter (altar?) their readings a bit.
Thank you, Ed, for your close reading, Rosemerry
This is the very clever word that shifts the reflection inward to another perspective, such an important word.
“Looking up at THAT moon…”
I wonder, I pondered getting rid of the word “there” in the poem. I think it tightens the rhythm…but I like it. The poem, and that poem too.