Nature Journal #4: Full Moon

Nature Journal 4: A Full Moon

September 30, 2023


Full moons have always been such a funny thing for me to think about. People associate weird experiences, feelings, and events with the phases of the moon, and I’ve always enjoyed silently following people’s theories about the moon. The fascination with full moons is not limited to just superstitions and anecdotal stories of bizarre occurrences. Throughout history, different cultures have imbued the moon with a multitude of meanings, attributing it to fertility, harvests, and even the cycles of life and death. The moon, in its various phases, has been a muse for poets, artists, and philosophers alike, inspiring countless works of art and literature. Even today, my internship with psychiatric patients, the therapists constantly make comments regarding the moon and the ensuing madness. I will credit their beliefs as I’ve witnessed some crazy behavior from kids during full moons. 

But, regardless of the accuracy of human sensitivity to full moon cycles, the full moon is bright and eye-catching. It is such an obvious beauty that somehow remains special to the world. It serves as a striking reminder of the unspoiled beauty of the natural world. As we talked about with Abbey’s writing about tourism, people come to mark their territory in nature. They take pictures and post post post just to prove they saw the thing, visited the place, or conquered the terrain. Although, the moon has this uniqueness about it; it is extremely difficult to capture with the lens of an iPhone. 

 In an age dominated by instant gratification, the moon stands as a sort of symbol of resilience to the digital lens.  In our photo obsessed generation, I really appreciate that some beauty can’t be captured with the click of the button. The brightness of the moon will cause the phone to blur, and the details you can see in real life don’t appear so precisely on camera. Yet, I try….and try and try. Each time I see the moon shine so brightly in the sky, I try to capture its ginormous size and extreme glow. But each and every time, I fail. The moon seems to tell the world that he wants appreciation and gratitude but not fame and publicity. The moon seems to be a silent advocate for a different perspective. Its existence reminds us that not everything valuable in this world needs to be showcased to the masses. Sometimes, the most awe-inspiring moments are meant to be experienced personally, to be cherished in the solitude of the night sky, and to serve as a reminder of the profound connection we share with the natural world.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mary Oliver Poem #5 "First Snow"

 Mary Oliver Poem #5: “First Snow” pg 371 Mary Oliver's "First Snow" speaks to me on a profoundly personal level, as if the poet is inviting me to join her in a contemplative journey through the magical landscape of the first snowfall. The poem opens with a sense of continuity, as the snow begins in the morning and persists throughout the day, its "white rhetoric everywhere" calling me back to fundamental questions about life's beauty and meaning. Mary Oliver’s use of language, describing the snow as having an "oracular fever," suggests a mysterious quality, as if the snow holds the answers to the questions it prompts. I find myself swept up in this peom, drawn into the dialogue between nature and reflection. The snow becomes not just a meteorological event but a medium for profound reflection, a silent communicator urging me to delve into the why, how, and whence of the beauty that surrounds us. As the snow continues its relentless descent, the im...
Read more

Mary Oliver Poem #2: "Oxygen"

Image
Mary Oliver Poem #2: “Oxygen” September 30, 2023      Mary Oliver's poem, "Oxygen," invites readers to explore the profound interconnectedness between nature and human existence, highlighting the significance of the air we breathe. In just a few lines, Oliver manages to capture the essence of life, love, and our undeniable dependence on the natural world. It evoked a great sense of reflection in me, and for that, I appreciated how Mary Oliver was able to personify this invisible part of life.      The poem begins with a universal truth, "Everything needs it: bone, muscles, and even, while it calls the earth its home, the soul." In this opening line, Oliver emphasizes the universality of the need for oxygen. It's not just a biological necessity for our bodies but something that penetrates even the deepest recesses of our being, reaching the soul. By personifying oxygen as a "noisy machine," she introduces a sense of vitality and constant motion, mak...
Read more

Mary Oliver Poem #4 "Praying"

 Mary Oliver Poem #4: “Praying”  Mary Oliver's poem "Praying" serves as a gentle guide to a more contemplative and grateful existence. Mary Oliver invites the reader, me in this case, to prayer. She explains what this can look like and debunks some myths surrounding prayer. She explains how prayer isn't confined to the grand or picturesque; it extends to the ordinary and overlooked elements of the world. The opening line, "It doesn't have to be the blue iris," immediately alleviates any pressure to seek out the traditionally beautiful or exceptional. Oliver encourages a shift in perspective, a willingness to recognize the divine in the everyday. Whether it's weeds in a vacant lot or a few small stones, the poet prompts me to pay attention to the often-dismissed details of my surroundings. The directive to "just pay attention" becomes a call to mindfulness, an invitation to be fully present in the moment. In doing so, I am prompted to engage...
Read more