I didn’t realise it was the Moon Festival the other night when I saw the perfect glowing moon around sunset with my little son. It was the most striking moon I’ve seen in many a year. And as Jan pointed out, it’s spring here, so beautiful moons aren’t a monopoly of autumn!
You are so blessed to get to experience the moon through the precious boy's eyes. I was thinking so much of when my kid was young.... those were the happiest times of my life. And yes... coming from LA I do know about the harvest moon, but in general the night sky is always most spectacular in winter here--like the mountains!!!!
Yes, I was surprised at the time at the golden hues of the moon we saw -- usually it's a beautiful silver colour -- although perhaps that's because we saw it between the trees just over the horizon at dusk. When I read your article it was a forehead-slapping moment to learn that it was actually the famous 中秋の名月!
Thanks Leanne! I love the poem and all the extra info. We have the festival here in Sydney too but we are just one month into spring. Next year in our Autumn I’m taking a group on a Haiku Walking trip to the Kunisaki Peninsular but it will Sakura. I’ve taken groups to Japan in all seasons except winter, maybe that’s going to be the next one after this!
Okay, this makes me so homesick. But not for a home that I've known. Homesick for that place of heart that calls to become one with grief and longing in such a way that the wonder left quaking for cover is brave enough to find the heartbeat of beauty and love, even while standing alone. Now I am in tears . . . The moon, oh, moon, you are always hiding even as you shine!
I didn’t realise it was the Moon Festival the other night when I saw the perfect glowing moon around sunset with my little son. It was the most striking moon I’ve seen in many a year. And as Jan pointed out, it’s spring here, so beautiful moons aren’t a monopoly of autumn!
You are so blessed to get to experience the moon through the precious boy's eyes. I was thinking so much of when my kid was young.... those were the happiest times of my life. And yes... coming from LA I do know about the harvest moon, but in general the night sky is always most spectacular in winter here--like the mountains!!!!
Yes, I was surprised at the time at the golden hues of the moon we saw -- usually it's a beautiful silver colour -- although perhaps that's because we saw it between the trees just over the horizon at dusk. When I read your article it was a forehead-slapping moment to learn that it was actually the famous 中秋の名月!
Thanks Leanne! I love the poem and all the extra info. We have the festival here in Sydney too but we are just one month into spring. Next year in our Autumn I’m taking a group on a Haiku Walking trip to the Kunisaki Peninsular but it will Sakura. I’ve taken groups to Japan in all seasons except winter, maybe that’s going to be the next one after this!
Oh your group is so lucky! A walking haiku trip sounds absolutely spectacular can you imagine all the poems you guys are going to write!!!
Okay, this makes me so homesick. But not for a home that I've known. Homesick for that place of heart that calls to become one with grief and longing in such a way that the wonder left quaking for cover is brave enough to find the heartbeat of beauty and love, even while standing alone. Now I am in tears . . . The moon, oh, moon, you are always hiding even as you shine!
Sally, I love that that you call it being homesick. It’s exactly how I feel.