Your light shone into my darkened domicile
calling me out of my chosen solitude
to be renewed, refreshed,
released from any burdens
I've carried since last we met.
We conversed til near dawn
when you bid me farewell
and took your leave.
We shall meet again, again and again.

I sit in the opening of my cave
pondering the wonder of you
recollecting the folklore, the myths and the poems
versed in your honor
by womyn attuned to your cycles
and their own.

I recall too the tales of horror
attributed to your influence
the ways in which your name is demeaned and belittled
in ignorance and fear of your power.
It is in your fullness that you are most often maligned
Just as it is in our fullness as womyn
we are damned and debased
as evil
as witches
as sorcerers.

What they who attempt to disparage us
are not aware of is this:
We reclaim it all!
Moon Struck
Moon Madness
Moon Crazed
Lunacy...
Absolutely!
We embrace the labels
as we embrace your energy.

Each month, when in your fullness you revisit this cave,
I shall emerge again from my solitary life
and with my sisters everywhere,
HOWL
Louder and Longer
my Greeting and my Joy.
I smile with heartfelt contentment
as I re-enter my cave,
myself

by Judith TreeCrone