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hendecasyllabic moon


by strannikov


this granite's been cool for its millions of years

and seen more than three-thousand million bright suns

(not to mention all those eclipses and clouds),

rain, snow, sleet, and ice fall to greet its ascent

as it continues lifting under the moon.

that moon does not think (unless mineral thoughts),

exercises no will its orbit can trace,

has not one illuminating word to breathe—

yet it directs the paths of oceans and seas,

steers the lift of mountains from the earth's own guts,

circulates blood in each terrestrial eye.

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