Lullaby of Many Moons

One night I walked the foggy wood,
beneath a five moon cluster;
Observing it through leafy hood,
charmed by its golden luster

Sleepy thicket, quiet and still
but for the tree frogs on the boughs;
The air was musky, dank and chill --
a fear in me it did arouse

Impervious path, I had to kick
away the thick and thorny vines;
I held fast to my walking stick,
and carried on toward the pines

The moons then shone more bright than day,
as if five suns were in the sky
A trail they painted for my way;
their comfort to me did abide

When from the forest’s edge I looked,
there, in the clearing, boldly stood
a buck whose massive antlers shook
to warn of something dire afoot

Most careful not to make a sound,
my body quaked in discontent;
I quickly turned myself around
and back into the wood I went…

The five moons led me to a field
where wildflowers dance into the night;
-- No need to tame away the weald
of thick and thorny vines that bite

Instead, I laid my body down
upon a tufted quilt of blooms,
and fell asleep to whispered sounds --
a lullaby of many moons