The Person in the Moon

by Avra Margariti

We lean over their craters
Honeycombed darker than their shaded
Side, the wounded perforations
Of flag poles, spaceship detritus—
Shallow graves for fallen
Rovers.

We promise the person
In the moon we will tread
Gently on their sterling surface,
Lunar luminosity.
We are here neither to colonize
Nor vacation. A refuge

Of liminality, humbly asked,
Graciously granted.
We stare into the mired
Craters like scrying mirrors
Begging to be told our fates.
To wash our world weary
Dust off premature wrinkles,
Whitened hair.

And in those craters, we will watch
In seas of tranquility
Our true faces reflected, will
Speak a heart-name the person
In the moon has safeguarded
For us since before
The earth was born.

Did you know there was water
Here after all?
All we thirstling, starveling
Children needed
Was to quietly, adamantly
Ask.

Avra Margariti is a queer author, Greek sea monster, and Rhysling-nominated poet with a fondness for the dark and the darling. Avra’s work haunts publications such as Vastarien, Asimov’s, Liminality, Arsenika, The Future Fire, Space and Time, Eye to the Telescope, and Glittership. “The Saint of Witches”, Avra’s debut collection of horror poetry, is available from Weasel Press. You can find Avra on twitter (@avramargariti).