The Moon....... - poem

The Moon


You can take the moon by the spoonful

or in capsules every two hours.

It's useful as a hypnotic and sedative

and besides it relieves

those who have had too much philosophy.

A piece of moon in your purse

works better than a rabbit's foot.

Helps you find a lover

or get rich without anyone knowing,

and it staves off doctors and clinics.

You can give it to children like candy

when they've not gone to sleep,

and a few drops of moon in the eyes of the old

helps them to die in peace.


Put a new leaf of moon

under your pillow

and you'll see what you want to.

Always carry a little bottle of air of the moon

to keep you from drowning.

Give the key to the moon

to prisoners and the disappointed.

For those who are sentenced to death

and for those who are sentenced to life

there is no better tonic than the moon

in precise and regular doses.


Jaime Sabines

-- Poem as sueltos, 1981

translated by W. S. Merwin
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love always n spread love in all ways
aarthi