Full Moon to New Moon

the round moon calls to me

a bowl of milk payasam, spread with dried rice balls

sprinkled with cashew

chilled and reheated with abundant milk from

the previous night

it fills my belly and satisfies my tongue

the moon calls out to me

my eyes, my eyes

cannot believe the sight of a glowing silver ball

it keeps me awake

days pass and i am hungry for another full moon

but the more i yearn,

the more shy it becomes

i stop seeing the sky, in fear of a waning moon

not at its fullest glory and dimmed in light

another day, a dash of silver

a sliver of its beaming glory

a smile perhaps, as the clouds cover and uncover

the crescent revealing a faint sparkle

like the nose ring of a dark goddess

seated in her unlit shrine

lighting up the hearts of devotees within

as the moon waxes and wanes

so does my enthusiasm

to watch and wait, it has taught me

in fullness and emptiness

a presence exists

yesterday i climbed up the stairs to

reach my terrace and watch my moon

it disappeared

the stars spoke to me

worry not, we see your moon

it revolves around your home

held by your kind gravity

and magnanimous grace

it shall show up tomorrow

as long as you shall too

---S