Osherow

Moon Sonnet

Hey, Moon. Remember me? It's been a while
since I last came around for conversation.
My stoop an improvised confessional,
I'd talk and talk and talk and you would listen.
It was thrilling while it lasted, I was young.
Now I've come looking for some help.
The truth is, Moon, a lot's gone wrong;
I was hoping our paths could overlap,
that you might tell me where you find the patience
to get yourself from empty back to full.
(I've watched you, fingernail by fingernail;
eventually you always hit your stride.)
Do you think, if I made a vow of silence,
you'd let me come along once for the ride?


I love this poem because it starts out in a more playful manner than a lot of the ones in Whitehorn.  I think throughout the entire book she uses an amazing rhythm and use of rhyme that is sort of a lost art in poetry when it comes to the more modern and post modern works.  I enjoy end rhymes such as the last three lines in this poem. I think the that the relationship with the moon was something I think we all have at some point.  I can think of many times that I would be sitting outside and just look up to the moon and stars and talk and search for the answers to my questions.  I also like at the end that Osherow points out that sometimes we just have to accept that we must embrace silence. I think the magic of this poem is the use of simple repetition: "i'd talk and talk and talk..." "fingernail by fingernail"  These lines further describe her enteractions with the moon and her realization about her vow of silence.