A Call From The Moon…50 Years On
Oh! Silver Moon, that lights the way,
I heard your call, I heard you say,
“Come, join me, for I feel alone,
Once, people came, but now they’ve flown.
Around your planet, countless years,
And no one saw my new frontiers.
Then, just as strange folks came as friends,
They, all too soon, were gone again!
They left a flag, they left their marks,
Blasted off with fire and sparks!
50 years, I’ve waited solo,
Shined away, my face aglow.
I’ve been a Hunter, Harvest, Blue,
Waxed and Waned, for all of you,
Strawberry, Sturgeon, Flower and Snow,
You’ve seen them all, from Earth below.
Buck, and Beaver, Cold and Pink,
The miles between, our missing link,
Crescent, Quarter, Gibbous, Full,
My Lunar gravity’s ocean pull.
Call me Blood Moon, Wolf or Worm
One day we’ll meet & reaffirm.
Yes, peace will reign; humility,
Eclipsing in Tranquility!”
20th July 2019
I’ve found watching the various pieces of archive tv footage, marking the 50th anniversary since the first Moon landing & Moonwalk, very emotional. It was an incredible feat for its time, given the huge leaps we’ve made in technology, since 1969, & the realisation that it was pretty crude, back then! It’s almost a miracle they got there & back, safely! I do feel privileged to have lived through those times & witnessed such an immense occasion in history, uniting the World, in awe & wonder.
It’s extremely exciting to hear the news of newly planned adventures to The Moon, within the next few years. I shall definitely be watching and waiting, with the eager eyes of the 8 year old me, who stayed up very late, transfixed by the enormity of those momentous events, unfolding on our small tv, 50 years ago. It looks even more amazing today!
Peter's pondering says:
You are so right. It does seem even more amazing in retrospect.
Debbie Jones says:
I think maybe there’s a different realisation with the passage of time, & advancement of age..even though it was awe-inspiring as a child.
Peter's pondering says:
…or even as a 21 year old!!!!!!
ivor20 says:
A wondrous poem Debbie, Yes their achievements were truly a brave feat, considering the lack of technology back FIFTY 50 ago…. Maybe that’s why Spillwords magazine selected my poem to be published today ?? “Dreams Of The Heart”………
Debbie Jones says:
Ahh congratulations, Ivor, that’s brilliant! I’m sure they’ve published it on its own merits, even though it’s topical for this weekend. Many thanks for your kind words ?
ivor20 says:
Thank you Debbie, I suppose I’ll always be able to remember when it was published ……..
Debbie Jones says:
Indeed, Ivor! ?
G.Edward Smith says:
Truly captured the ideas, hopes, and feat of a group of people who were determined.
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you very much indeed, Edward. The journeys to & walks on the Moon made such an impression, & I’ve never lost that fascination with everything skyward. The more I hear about those amazing pioneers, the more I am in awe of their achievements.
SueW says:
I imagine the man in the moon would have a lot to say about us, the wretched earthlings, if only it could really speak. Wonderful poem Debbie, you are very talented! ?
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sue, I really appreciate them. I really wanted to mark the anniversary, & funnily enough, started another poem, which included, “The Man In The Moon.” I also fear he’d be very disgruntled about earthlings behaviour..and may well send us packing on future visits! Or he could turn his back & carry on eating his cheese! ?
Tish Farrell says:
Your moon ode is so witty, Debbie. And rightfully too you remind us what a very incredible feat this was in these times when most of us tend to get a bit blase about technological breakthroughs – as if we just expect such things to happen.
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you very much indeed for your kind words, Tish. I think my love for the sky, both day and night, was probably ignited from the days of the Apollo projects. The technology, back then, seemed amazing, but the advancements in space exploration since, are incredible. You’re right, we do get a bit blasé about technology breakthroughs, but I think people are a little more switched on & excited by space, now, especially since the coverage of Tim Peake’s travels to the International Space Station & Brian Cox’s wonderful knowledge..but who could ever forget the enthusiasm of the brilliant Patrick Moore?! What a character!
Tish Farrell says:
Ah yes, Patrick Moore. Definitely one of a kind.
neilsonanita says:
Lovely Debbie.
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you, Anita, & for reading too. ?
KT Workman says:
I’ll be watching and waiting as well. And I hope I live to see us land on Mars.
Debbie Jones says:
Wouldn’t it be fantastic, KT?! There’s definitely still many more possibilities in our lifetimes!
KT Workman says:
Indeed! ?
Chatter Master says:
This was a fantastic tribute. I too will look forward to the next moon send off!
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you so much, Colleen. Yes, whole new generations will be able to experience those thrilling times, once again. I can’t wait! ?
Chatter Master says:
I was not very old and am not sure if my memory is accurate. But I’ve always believed I watched it.
Debbie Jones says:
I’m sure you did, Colleen..it’s a nice memory to have, or even think you have, of exceptional times in space. ?
tidalscribe says:
I love the poem, about time someone considered the moon’s feelings!
Debbie Jones says:
Ahh, yes..thank you very much indeed, Janet, I’m delighted you enjoyed reading my poem. I thought I’d try a slightly different perspective, even though I’ve always been in awe of the moon landings & walks by the astronauts, there’s the moon, shining away & still a cause for wonderment. ?
salsaworldtraveler says:
I agree that Apollo 11 and all Apollo mission were amazing as is your poem. I watched Apollo 11 from blastoff to lunar landing to splashdown. I could not have imagined that nearly 30 years later I would work with Neil Armstrong. He served on the board of directors of the company I worked for, and I was assigned as the assistant corporate secretary to support one of the committees he was on. Funny how life turns out sometimes. Armstrong was a fantastic, humble and private human being.
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you so much for your lovely comments & amazing story. What a thrill & privilege to work with Neil Armstrong! It was wonderful watching & listening to the old footage during the 50th anniversary, and all the commentators remarked on him being such a humble man, surely an icon of our time & we’re lucky to have experienced it first hand..even if we were very young at the time! You’re right, life does have some strange ways of working out sometimes, what a memory to treasure!
forresting365 says:
Oh, Debbie!!! I love, Love, LOVE this poem!!! It’s absolutely wonderful!!! And we watched all the shows as well. How cool is it all?!!! So fun to see it all from now. Thank You and Cheers!!! ?❤️?