This January I hoped to see a tiny crescent Moon in the morning just before sunrise. I think such a Moon is upside down, but maybe it is right-side up as well. Regardless, the mornings this January when the opportunity arose were cloudy. The expected sliver of Moon did not appear.
While waiting to see if the clouds would clear I recalled an old couple. Toward the end of their lives they behaved like teenagers in love. They held each other close even in public. They smiled warmly at each other. They seemed upside down to some of us although we all wished we would have their right-side up love when we were their ages.
For many of us clouds get in the way modestly blocking reality. I’ve learned this January that all that is perhaps the way it is supposed to be. Clouds in morning sunlight also put on beautiful shows. Besides, it is easy to forgive all that cloudiness when I realize they also wanted a happy ending.
THERE'S VENUS, CLOUDS, AND
JUPITER. IT’S WINTER, BUT
OCEAN WAVES ARE WARM.
Linked to K’lee and Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge with the theme “upside-down” and to dVerse Haibun Monday where Kim is hosting with the theme of January. And to Debbie Roth’s Forgiving Fridays.

I think that’s our first ever astronomical entry Frank, well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you liked it. Thank you, Dale!
LikeLike
Nicely done, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the way your haibun meanders to your haiku like the way we wander through our years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Suzanne!
LikeLike
your reflections warm my heart Frank, an upside down moon, clouds that block what is really out there but not to matter as love conquers all! love blooms even in the most unlikely of places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gina!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Frank, I see you pondering the clouds. Your haibun reminds me of Joni Mitchell’s, “Both Sides Now”. What I’ve never seen anywhere before now is empathy for the clouds ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I almost didn’t include that, but then I thought, maybe they wanted to see that Moon as well. 🙂 The clouds were more beautiful than that Moon would have been. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also get disappointed if dark clouds get in the way of viewing the moon or the celestial heavens. Love that story of the old couple with their right side up love. Hope we all live in our old age like them. Those warm ocean waves are glorious to behold.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Grace!
LikeLike
Excellent haibun, Frank; your descriptions are lush, and the silver lining in gray clouds was refreshing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Glenn!
LikeLike
Love the flip – and the old couple turning things upside down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, V.J.!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So welcome, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If it weren’t for Winter, would we truly appreciate Spring? I’d like to try! I liked the haiku.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Beverly!
LikeLike
“they seemed upside down”… 🙂 I do enjoy four seasons, but why then do I grumble in the middle of each?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Margaret!
LikeLike
That was a warm gentle piece Frank. Very nice…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rob!
LikeLike
Outstanding, Frank!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, K’lee!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed this astronomical tour of the January sky, Frank, and the upside-down moon hidden behind clouds! I think of that moon as a magic trick, a dish running away with a spoon. I especially like the anecdote about the old upside-down couple and the Joni Mitchell reference to clouds getting in the way rounded it off so well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice correlation between elder lovers and the moon, tying in the reality of “such is life”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kathy!
LikeLike
I like the way you drew all your reality and analogies together in this one. Yes, we all want a happy ending in life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dwight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really enjoyed this: the astronomy, the psychology of love, the pic and more. Nice
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sabio!
LikeLike
The unidentified flying objects and this line: “it is easy to forgive all that cloudiness when I realize they also wanted a happy ending” made me smile 🙂
LikeLike
I love the meandering of thoughts between the clouds and the moon you never saw and the old couple living happy ever after… great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bjorn!
LikeLike
I suppose ‘warm’ is relative! here on the left coast, the water is a bit chilly ~
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is relative. We are at the moment in Miami. It has been very warm. Thank you!
LikeLike
I love the complement of the moon and the old lovers. Lovely haibun, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sara!
LikeLike
The relationship between these elderly people sounds wonderful, Frank. Great post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful compilation of creativity to illustrate forgiveness, Frank! The story of the old couple completely touched me – it sounds like an experience of unconditional love. And, I experience such acceptance – and even further, an embracing – of what is in your sharing about what is and forgiving what may block us from seeing clearly (maybe that’s part of the sight). I love it and love your blog entries. I’ll share this in February’s Forgiving Fridays!
Have a great weekend, Frank — Blessings, Debbie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed the thoughts pondered , the reconsideration of “upside down”. There is beauty in everything, right side up or otherwise. Very nice, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mish!
LikeLike
SMiLes.. Funny How Love Songs on
The Radio Will Lose ‘That Feeling’
NoW UnTiL
EYes
of Love
Receive
The
Signal
Once Again
Flowers Blooming
A Rose Is Not EnougH iT MusT
Continue To Rise Somehow Someway..:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
They all need to continue to rise, regain that feeling. Thank you, Fred!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen!
Frank
Thanks!..:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m now wondering if the clouds and the stars are holding hands, and the moon is watching wistfully. Love in elder years always brings a smile to my face, for the freedom of the world in each others’ eyes. Thank you for this journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that thought of the clouds and stars holding hands. Thank you, Nora!
LikeLike
What a beautiful blend of the moon, the clouds, the sky, the couple and the perspectives and feelings your post brings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person