The Moon - By: Ayesha Abubakr

the moon knows what it feels like

to be human

cratered by imperfections

yet beautiful in its whole

rising from its quiet state of serenity

to break apart the curtain of black

night after night, life after life

when we cry

the moon cries with us

softly, gently, catching our tears

with the milky glow of its light

sometimes it’s weak

shifting, hiding, uncertain

and sometimes it’s strong

shining, unmoving, smiling

everyday it becomes a new version of itself

but never, ever, leaves us

the moon sometimes feels

more human

than the people around me

Please give a detailed explanation about the meaning and main idea of this poem.

"The Moon" is a free-verse poem that explores the symbolic connection between the idea of being human and the role The Moon itself plays in our lives. Ideas and feelings integral to the human experience, such as love, loyalty, and grief, are expressed through both the visual and metaphorical characteristics of the Moon; man's timeless loyal companion.

The poem offers comfort to readers through the personification of the Moon and its relation to often complex and deep-seated human emotions we, on both an individual and collective basis, often struggle to comprehend. The Moon's placement in this universe is regarded as a reflection of the human experience, and as such expressed throughout the poem.

Please explain your writing and thought process regarding this poem.

Writing "The Moon" was a process that required deep intrapersonal reflection and the procurement of raw emotion: love, grief, tragedy, loyalty - even physical and mental insecurities - to name a few. Translating these feelings onto paper propelled me to consider the greatest aspects of being human from various perspectives; in particular, the Moon's. Why do we look to the Moon at night? What comfort is there - what relatability - that draws us to it, even subconsciously? I grappled with these questions while penning "The Moon", which I hope can offer a gateway to understanding ourselves and others around us.

Why did you choose to write this poem?

For months the idea of creating a work of art that tackled the idea of a non-human object sharing human qualities with us simmered at the back of my head, fueled further by the desire to understand our position in this universe - who are we? And in a world rife with grief and loss, the idea of holding onto an undying object such as the Moon itself for comfort was a tantalizing vision, one I simply couldn't let out of my grasp. That idea - that hope - took tangible form as "The Moon".

Do you have any tips or anything to share with the youth writers who may be reading this?

If the poem above resonates with you, know you are not alone. Like the Moon, there are always people - both friends and strangers - willing to stand by your side through life, death, and everything in between. And just like the Moon, all of us are much stronger and more significant than we think - so never believe you are not enough!