Before dawn breaks on Thanksgiving morn
I am awakened by a soft orange glow outside my window.

The harvest moon entices me to sacrifice my precious sleep to view her ample charms.

Taking center stage in the dark, crisp, clear, sky,
Plump and full bodied, she reveals herself and
Outshines her rivals, the morning stars.

Her time in the spotlight is brief
As she quickly slips behind the Pacific horizon.

We will wait another year for her harvest moon glory to return.









An excerpt from Where the Red Tailed Hawk Flies: Seasons Along the Central Coast
Copyright © 2007 by Gabriella Graham/Red Tailed Hawk Publishing/All rights reserved