Blood Moon

Shelby Nine, “Abstract Sunrise”

by Bella Mauro

Looming and bountiful,

a resurgence of beginnings;

cyclical changes;

patterns returning 

to origin. Prosperous

and untimely;

a mountain lion approaching 

your peripheral,

encroaching on the time spent

to cultivate

an ever-shrinking year;

the past growing more and 

more slim. Morbidly,

we move towards the end, but

spirited by the cleansing air

and foliage; fruitful yet fading.

Midsummer comes to pass but 

draws on—

in a strange, speeding slowness.

Fattened fawns romp through the forest,

the hunters’ bow beating, 

beating, 

beating 

to the tune of his heart,

to the melody of each exhale,

to the flicker of each eyelash. The 

echo chamber ever transparent,

parading our vows in

rakish disproportion;

We harvest our bounties,

insulate our chambers,

crunching leaves until

the ground grows slick.