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Good afternoon, poets! Frank J. Tassone, here, hosting another Haibun Monday, where we blend prose-poetry and haiku to fashion that hybrid form called haibun. Today, let’s show some love for that phase of the moon that’s often overlooked. I’m talking about Mezza Luna, Italian for the quarter phase, or half-moon.

During the quarter phase, depending on our location, one-half of the moon’s surface will be visible today. North of the Equator, it will be the first quarter—the right half will be seen. South of the Equator, the left side will be visible—and the moon will be in its third quarter.

But why should we care about the half-moon? Well, what phase of the moon better exemplifies change? The moon’s appearance expands and contracts—waxes and wanes—as it orbits earth. The half-moon represents this journey either way: whether progressing from a new or full moon toward the opposite phase. Mezza Luna embodies transformation, just like this unique time of year.

While this winter has been a mild one here in New York’s backyard, forecasts call for snow today and tomorrow. Nevertheless, the spring equinox arrives by the 20th of March. Just as the half-moon represents a change between new or full moon phases, this time of year is when Winter transitions to Spring.

But don’t just take my word for it. Listen to what other poets have to say:

The Sun Has Long Been Set

William Wordsworth – 1770-1850

The sun has long been set,
  The stars are out by twos and threes,
The little birds are piping yet
  Among the bushes and trees;
There’s a cuckoo, and one or two thrushes,
And a far-off wind that rushes,
And a sound of water that gushes,
And the cuckoo’s sovereign cry
Fills all the hollow of the sky.
  Who would “go parading”
In London, “and masquerading,”
On such a night of June
With that beautiful soft half-moon,
And all these innocent blisses?
On such a night as this is!

This poem is in the public domain.

Meeting at Night

Robert Browning – 1812-1889

The gray sea and the long black land; 
And the yellow half-moon large and low: 
And the startled little waves that leap 
In fiery ringlets from their sleep, 
As I gain the cove with pushing prow,
And quench its speed i’ the slushy sand. 

Then a mile of warm sea-scented beach; 
Three fields to cross till a farm appears; 
A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch 
And blue spurt of a lighted match,
And a voice less loud, through joys and fears, 
Than the two hearts beating each to each!

This poem is in the public domain.

half moon – – haibun

by Janice of OnTheLand

Unpleasant appointments loom in my calendar — though not always cushioned by pleasurable events, they are…this time. Nonetheless they continue to tap at the edge of my composure, vying for my anxious attention.

half moon

directly above

a fresh field of snow

Today, let’s write a haibun that references Mezza Luna, or half-moon, however you perceive it. For those new to haibun, the form consists of one to a few paragraphs of prose—usually written in the present tense—that evoke an experience and are often non-fictional/autobiographical. They may be preceded or followed by one or more haiku—nature-based, using a seasonal image—that complement without directly repeating what the prose stated.

New to dVerse? Here’s what you do:

  • Write a haibun that alludes to Mezza Luna, or half-moon.
  • Post it on your personal site/blog
  • Include a link back to dVerse in your post.
  • Copy your link onto the Mr. Linky
  • Remember to click the small checkbox about data protection.
  • Read and comment on some of your fellow poets’ work.
  • Like and leave a comment below if you choose to do so.
  • Have fun!