Waiting for the Full Moonrise

Before this moon will rise the sun must set. I wait alone upon the beach except for strangers waiting for it, too.

And then we see its fresh, faint light. It lifts above the ocean’s noisy waves. I watch until I’m sure it’s safely high enough to journey on alone.

SAND DUNES SHELTER LIFE
LIFE HOLDS DOWN THE DRIFTING SAND
TURTLES WATCH THE MOON

Written for dVerse Haibun Monday #29 hosted by Michael Grogan at Morpethroad with the theme “waiting”.  Photo by the author.

Author: Frank Hubeny

I enjoy walking, poetry and short prose as well as taking pictures with my phone.

39 thoughts on “Waiting for the Full Moonrise”

    1. Thank you! The idea of the turtles came from someone telling me that young sea turtles when born break out of their nests at night and move toward the ocean by whatever night lights are available to them. I assume they would use the moon at times like this.

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    1. The turtles would go the the ocean alone. I would go back alone (with the help of the moonlight) and the Moon would safely make it alone across the sky. I guess there is more “being alone” in that haibun than I originally expected. Thanks!

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    1. Normally, I look forward to seeing the sun rise (or set). One can expect it more or less about the same time each day. The Moon will vary by an hour or so from day to day. That was the only moonrise I ever saw over water. I didn’t want to miss it and I waited longer than I thought I would have to. But it was worth it. Thanks!

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    1. Although I didn’t see any turtles, I had heard they use such lights probably later in the night to get to the ocean from their nests. I was thinking about them at the time.

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    1. Thank you! I remember when I first heard that turtles used the light from the moon and stars to find their way to the ocean, I wondered if those lights were bright enough. The nearby street lights need to be ignored. I suspect they also see the light flickering off the water to know which direction to head toward.

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  12. I love the way your haibun starts with a universal truth, Frank:’Before this moon will rise the sun must set’ and ends with ‘TURTLES WATCH THE MOON’. You’ve really captured the waiting with the turtles.

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  13. I love sunrises and sunsets…..but perhaps watching for the full moon is even more special because it is not every day. You’ve captured the beauty and essence of it here! 🙂

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    1. The full or near full moon rising happens only a couple days a month. Our bedroom window faces east and we can see the moon and sun but only after it gets above the homes in the area. I only saw a full moon rise over water that once in my life. I will look for more opportunities going forward.

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    1. When I was watching the moon rise, I wondered when should I stop and move onto other things? Although I did wonder if the moon would be OK if I left, I immediately realized that, of course, it would.

      I only had my phone to take that photo and I realized that I wish I had at least some sort of tripod to steady it because the light was dim. A longer exposure would have made it less grainy, but I do like the sagging ropes blocking off the protected dune area.

      Thanks!

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    1. I don’t know much about turtles but I have seen some species of turtle in water gardens in malls and botanic gardens where they rested on top of each other when out of the water. At first I thought they were statues but then they moved their heads. Of course, there isn’t much room in those gardens for them to go very far which might encourage them to crowd together.

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  18. Beautiful imagery. I especially love the line, “I watch until I’m sure it’s safely high enough to journey on alone.” It really connected with me. It also adds a sense of perspective — we really don’t have much control in the large scheme of things, but we still crave it, even if it is illusory. The last line collects your words well. Even though we, as humans, may feel we are at the center of world, it is refreshing to point out the turtles, small and peaceful, are also there, watching and waiting.

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    1. Thank you! Those turtles are also the center of the world through their own perspectives and the Moon and stars light their way to the ocean. I am glad you enjoyed the haibun!

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