The Moon and Worms

Full Moon Names are common in different cultures, and here on the East Coast of the US we follow the moon names originating from the Native Americans. This one we just had at the end of March was the Full Worm Moon. Its name derives from the thawing of the soil after winter revealing earthworm casts, which commonly synchronize with the reappearance of large numbers of robins. It's also known as the Full Crow Moon in some more northern tribes as murders of crows caw at the end of Winter.

This month be on the look out for the crescent moon between Venus and the Pleiades on April 16, and the Full Pink Moon,



named after wild ground phlox, April 28. But back to the matter at hand, our last Full Moon, which I had the blessing to enjoy for a little while the other night. I always enjoy giving in to a little lunacy. There is debate over the name of this moon since some calenders 'fix' the moon names and others go off of full moon order after the equinox. For instance, the Pink Moon normally comes in April, but the Paschal full moon after the vernal equinox dictates Easter following on the next Sunday, so some say the previous moon in March was a premature Pink Moon. These dates depend on different calenders and complicated things.

Nonetheless the full moon is always epic. And always deserves a moment of reflection.



I was sitting under the Full Worm Moon
Last night
Bathing in the light
Watching it play tricks with the stunning monochrome
Thinking about the worms
Returning to their work
Making casts
And quick eyed robins
And I thought about the worms digging
Pushing through the dark
Churning the underneath
Leaving ghost roots
And secret paths
Invisible trees of air
It was so peaceful in a way
Thinking about them so busy below my feet
In their silent lives
Existing and constantly improving the situation
Without concern for gratitude
Or who’s eyes are watching
Yet mine are tonight

And the moonlight against the blossoms
Stirs the child inside of me
And I stop and stare
And watch the petals dance and flap
In their smooth nocturnal glow
I can feel the pull of gravity
Transfixed on that bright ball
That once was a part of us
A friendly reminder
Of the stability we gain from our past
And the grace of looking back
While we are able to remember
It’s amazing what a little moonlight can do

I’m thinking about the worms
Returning to their work
And I dug into their world
Riding the wave of soil and grit and constant push
Eating our paths forward
The night is ours to make of it as we will
While babies sleep
And mothers dream
And pain dissipates
The hungry worm eats onward
Insatiable in it’s giving.