Taking Back the Moon

By Duane Ackerson

I am taking back the moon

for the lunatics,

the lovers,

and the poets.

Real estate agents

may notice a gap in the night sky

and put away their signs.

The scientists can measure

the diameter of this darker

darkness,

triangulate its distance from Earth,

and conclude what's missing

must be the moon.

But I have it right here

under my arm,

wrapped in a notebook

leaking light,

and am coming toward you

with a poem it helped me write.

I pull it out and read by the moon's light:

         The Swimmer

     He dives into the moon

     from the pier on the lake,

     hits his target dead center;

     and, coming up for air,

     finds none.


Duane Ackerson has been nominated for four Rhysling Awards in short poetry and has received two. He edited one of the early small-press anthologies of speculative poetry, Rocket Candy. Collections of his poetry include The Bird at the End of the Universe and The Eggplant & Other Absurdities. You can see more of Duane's work in our archives, or send him email at Ackerson@navicom.com.