Mistaking the Moon

By on Feb 11, 2013 in Poetry

Couple watching moon on bench, with purple tint

I fear that I have made you feel
at times too common: like
the sound of a public school
desk sliding across a dirty
floor, or the sight of a shoelace dangling
agreeably from its knot, or
the smell of burnt toast or taste
of a ham sandwich.

You are so much more than a ham sandwich.

You are wondrous in the same way
cinnamon is wondrous as it dances
and falls from its shaker, the way a porch
light is wondrous when it winks rapidly right
before it falls asleep forever, the way
                        black ink is wondrous as it slides like a figure
                                    skater—or grace—or laughter—across an icy page.

Forgive me for everything—for all
            I’ve allowed years of marriage to make dim—but most of all, forgive
                                    me for mistaking you, like I do the moon, for mundane.

About

Stefanie Pickett Buckner is a graduate of Samford University and Duke Divinity School. Her poems have appeared in Byline Magazine, Time of Singing, Sacred Journey, The Penwood Review, The Poet’s Art, Love’s Chance Magazine, SP Quill Quarterly, Pulsar Poetry Magazine, New Verse News, Ruah, The New Renaissance, and Lyric. As a high-school English teacher, Stefanie enjoys introducing teenagers to the wonders of poetry and preparing them for college-level work. She lives in her favorite city (Nashville) with her favorite person (Eddie) and their delightfully mischievous dog (Lillabelle).

4 Comments

  1. Leigh Ann February 12, 2013

    This is wonderful. Congrats!

  2. Patricia Brewer February 13, 2013

    Stef this peom is absolutely beautiful. It makes us stop and think about all our mistaking. I love you and am so proud for you.Congratulations!

  3. Jo Lynne White February 13, 2013

    What a joy to read this ater I have had such a bad week! You are a blessing to everyone around you. I am so proud and thankful for you!

  4. Tina February 18, 2013

    I am amazed at the way you are able to put into words some of the feelings and experiences I have but I’m not able to articulate