toritto's Blog

ehh....what town in Italy is your family from?

toritto

toritto
Location
tampa bay metro, Florida,
Birthday
September 10
Bio
I was born in year 4 of the reign of the Emperor Tiberius Claudius and raised on 66th Street and 13th Ave. in Brooklyn. And Coney Island, Traveled the world. Married my high school sweetheart and stayed together 40 years. Now a retired old widower crank living in Florida with my cat. Author of "Initial Verses" - a collection of poems on love, loss, poverty and war" and "Toritto's Blog - a Memoir of a life in posts."

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MARCH 18, 2011 9:35AM

Ode to the Perigee Moon

Rate: 16 Flag

moon-sea-cliff-137421298933417ekb 

Tutmoses looked across the Nile 

and saw your reflection on the water.

Cleopatra held Antony’s hand

and kissed it by your light.

Nero plucked his lyre

while you shined on burning Rome.

Did Mehmet gaze upon your face

atop the walls of Byzantium?

You were shining brightly

when Columbus sailed

and when they came for Atahualpa.

You watched the Sioux ghost dance

and the Mahdi pray outside Khartoum.

Cixi sat in her pavilion, drank tea and reminisced.

Courtesan to dowager.

How your visage ached the doomed

along the Volga that  Christmas.

In your light countless Romeos caress the breasts

of countless Juliets.

You shined on me as well tonight.

I am one with the infinite.

Diana sees all.

 

Photo is public domain: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=12209&picture=moon-sea-cliff&large=1

Author tags:

poetry, moon, infinity, diana, moonlight, lovers

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Last night I sat in total darkness with a cup of coffee and a macanudo and gazed at the moon, approaching perigee this Saturday. It was full, bright and gigantic.

I came in after half and hour and jotted these lines.

Critism welcome. If you think my attempts at poetry are crap, say so! Don't encourage the old man!

If you like it, you may say that too!!
toritto
March 18, 2011 09:38 AM
The moom always puts me in a contemplative state Toritto - whether it's full or in a new crescent. You meshed history and different era as well as myth into what the moon evoked in you. And you did it well. My turn to contemplate now.
♥R
FusunA
March 18, 2011 09:57 AM
This is really beautiful Toritto. It drew me into the infinite. Thank you for that.
Antoinette Errante
March 18, 2011 10:05 AM
I think your poem is just lovely...the historical references are divine...xox
Robin Sneed
March 18, 2011 10:35 AM
"I am one with the infinite." Love that! Lovely poem and the photo is stunning!
Cathy GF
March 18, 2011 02:39 PM
Cathy: The photo is public domain. I have added the link.

Thanks for reading.
toritto
March 18, 2011 03:03 PM
This took me reeling up to the stars, so I could personally kiss the moon! Lovely writing, I can almost smell the cigar smoke, and sniff the brandy, not coffee.....
SheilaTGTG55
March 18, 2011 04:09 PM
I would say this was a remarkable poem
for a 3rd poem or a 1003rd poem
I love the poem and its references
and it descriptive, romantic
language
the feel of it
as it rolls across my tongue
my advice
to you
dear Toritto
please write
poem number 4
and many, many more
rated with love
RomanticPoetess
March 18, 2011 04:54 PM
Loved your poem. Missed the moon rising last night. I did see it bright and high in the sky when I took the doggie out for his evening walk. I have always been fascinated by the evening sky. I enjoy looking for celestial bodies while I'm taking my evening dog walk.

I always think of who has also seen the same sky that I am seeing. It does connect you to the past, present and future.

Keep on writing your poetry! :-)
ninjalady
March 18, 2011 05:52 PM
This was my favorite part.."You shined on me as well tonight.

I am one with the infinite." r
hugs, me
March 18, 2011 07:07 PM
I love the poem with the historical ref's, but Perigee? You're going to make me google. I did hear something on CNN (?) about the full moon this weekend being bigger and brighter than in forever.
tr ig
March 18, 2011 07:32 PM
trig:

"By the light
of the Perrigee Moon!

I want to spoon
To my honey I'll croon love's tune!"

:-)

Thank for reading. I had thought about calling it simply "Luna"
toritto
March 18, 2011 07:46 PM
And all these years I've been singing silvery... Sheez

I did look up Perigee... closest point to Earth. Hasn't happened since 93. Thanks for the reminder. Our sky is fairly clear for the moment. Hopefully can get a pic or two.
tr ig
March 18, 2011 08:06 PM
Not crap: I like the way you traipse the continents and the ages, uniting us all. The picture is a great find, too.
AtHomePilgrim
March 19, 2011 09:33 AM
I have not been here before, but should this be your first attempt at writing poetry verse... Keep it up!
R
Out on a limb
March 19, 2011 09:57 AM
Out on a limb: I have written only two shorter poems both of which are on my blog. I usually write about familiy, history, politics and my cat!

http://open.salon.com/blog/toritto/2011/01/17/in_the_garden_of_noble_women

http://open.salon.com/blog/toritto/2011/01/13/fields_of_monmouth

Thanks for reading
toritto
March 19, 2011 10:12 AM
This is wonderful. And even the first line of your comment is poetic. You are a poet, Toritto! No crap!
dirndl skirt
March 19, 2011 10:24 AM
To all of the readers and commenters a sincerest thank you!

This is all very encouraging! :-)

Maybe I should have started 40 years ago!

Regards to all.
toritto
March 19, 2011 12:53 PM
I reserve my right to encourage any man.
catch-22
March 19, 2011 05:12 PM
"I am one with the infinite."

I loved this line the best...and that picture really set the tone - lovely
Heidi Herron
March 20, 2011 07:46 PM
that photo is the best
Kathy Knechtges
March 21, 2011 10:54 AM