THE MAN IN THE MOON

When my son, Bryan was young a question he had...concerned the moon up above and made him sad.

He wanted me not to think him dull...but he loved the moon when it was full

And though for years his problem went unspoken...one day he asked, “Why does the moon get broken?

“I’ve seen it,” he said, “many times at night...and noticed something is not quite right.

The moon starts out so round and gay...but then it slowly fades away.

At times I’d like to get some tape...and put the moon back into shape.

When the moon is gone, Dad can you explain...what makes it come back full again?”

“Don’t worry son,” I said, “don’t feel perplexed...this I know, the moon’s not hexed.

Yes, once a month the moon is full...and the world enjoys it’s brilliant glow.

Then gradually it becomes less round..because the moon’s battery is running down.

The man in the moon doesn’t mope or pout...he waits patiently till the moon’s light goes out.

Then he retrieves from his pants pocket...a large new bulb for the moon’s light socket.

He screws it in and there you are...the moon again is a shining star.”

Oh what a different tale I could have spun...of the changing positions of the Earth, moon and sun

I could have told him that the moon he sees...changes relative to his geometries.

But I knew at his age the best translation...was one spiced up with imagination

For I knew he would be growing up soon...so I told him the story of the man in the moon.

Now whenI look up at the moon a thought occurs... I wonder which description he prefers.