Moonlight Sail

Enough light to be seen

Three-quarter moon, still low and orangey

And its path across the water

Made wide by perfect wind

Glad that I could do these things unseeing

Step the mast, set the rudder, raise the sail

I launched the boat in quiet slap of waves

Glided through the glinting, rippling water

Moonglow through the sails, stars above

Phosphorescence rising to my trailing hand

Sparking softly in my wake

The moon invited me—I had to come

Though sleep was vying for my time

Tomorrow it will rise too late

I told myself, tonight is prime

I didn’t sail for long - four tacks upwind

Then I turned and ghosted downwind

Past the silent docks towards home

Glad I’d made the effort to come out

As much to say I’d done it

As to sail.

©Wendy Mulhern

August 17, 2011