Supermoon before Father’s Day

by Nellie Curtiss . . .

The supermoon surprised me tonight 
As it hid between the branches of the great
Centurion Blue Spruce across from the swell tide
Of buzzing lamps canvassing the Alta Fuel station
On Main like it was one balloon lamp for the 
Corner and diagonal recess yard where 
children shriek in play all day, 
where feet thunder and swings fly.

That rose moon surprised me tonight
As it hung in the dryness mopping up
Any hidden aqua current caught lollygagging about.
The mead moon beamed like a new beacon
on a farmer’s forehead opening a silo floor.
The discus all but yelled at the smattering stars
When it peeked around those green but blue 
Needles off the century-old pine near
The dedicated high school baseball field.

Yes, the full June strawberry moon caught me
Posing there for a while under the nightshade
While eighteen wheelers, shy SUVs and quiet
Ambulances rolled through the green lights
Drenching waves of hums on hums, lights
Stacked up and fade into the elephant rock 
Near La Garita Caldera, its Neoparrya and that
Pinion Pine-Juniper fueled Lopez fire only
Fifty percent contained within the fire line.
Once the moon surprised swimmers in hot springs,
Cynics in the potato barn, and prom dates on Broadway.

So, the supermoon surprised me tonight like a father
Grilling, laughing, tumbling with toddlers, and
Spreading a mushrooming basket of tastes and seasons.
Just as the super moon charms fathers and mothers
ordering takeout while two somethings dance on knees,

The supermoon surprised me in-between branches
Of the Quaking Aspen and glossy gowns of constellations.
Now invocations, delights, and flutters pass by midnight,
all I can say: 
the strawberry June moon surprised me tonight.

Photo from sciencefocus.com/space/strawberry-moon-2022