Behind The Moon

Chrysanthemum moon


In China, the September moon
is a chrysanthemum in a woman’s hair.
It is the same pink as her arousal
blush when her kimono opens
to a man’s gasp.

Outside, people celebrate
the Happiness Festival. Chrysanthemums
are boiled to make a sweet drink,
petals are used in thick snakemeat soup
to make it smell better. Inside,
there is a different festival
of happy love-making:
the moon reaches her fullness.