Personal Essay: The Beauty of Watching the Moon

A Moment to Appreciate the Moon

By Julia Lesel

On the short, rural, five-minute drive from my parent’s house to my apartment, I admit I am not watching the road, as I drove slowly along side streets. I am watching the moon. 
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A brilliant orb of a full moon is rising tonight.

I don’t know if it has anything to do with the recent heatwave, but the moon is brighter than usual in the inky blue sky tonight. It has ascended appearing full each night, over the part three-night span, glowing like a cat’s eye appears to a mouse in the dark hole. 

The longer I stare, subtly, she rises. Inch by inch her reign ascends over her subjects in an ensemble of faint clouds, a flowing white-pink gown. It is the objects of earth who should bow to her, for she makes all the earth’s tiny things look regal under her. Every building and tree, ingratiated and enhanced in beauty. Reality takes on the glowing look of fantasy-- where anything is possible.

I’m compelled to photograph every new view like a fashion photographer.

She is at play. She ducks behind a scraggly tree, illuminating the delicate branches and their leaf clusters in silhouette. She climbs the tree, then jumps out and glides across the sky with no particular reference point.

​It’s the longest, most enchanted drive to my memory, made grateful and fully mindful by the blessing and grace of the moon.

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