Margaret Szumowski
Columbus Avenue on the Night
of the Lunar Eclipse
Astrophoto by Jonathan Sick

In New York City we are standing on the sidewalks
of Columbus Avenue looking at the moon disappear.
We are dressed up and silly in high-heeled shoes.

We should have a lunar eclipse party!
We see the shape of the moon and for once its roundness
like an unknown planet seen in a movie.

At last we know the moon—
no shimmering eye that could blink out
and leave us alone, but solid

like a man with a strong body.
We forget this darkness
wait again for the full moon that crazes us with desire,

bring out fire batons, tap shoes to celebrate.
The moon is so round,
we could take it in our arms.

 		eclipse