One of my sisters and her husband love going to the beach. They don’t need any occasion to go, they’ll just drive the hour or so to get there and he’ll either surf if the waves are accommodating or they will sit on the beach under their canopy watching the waves or walk along its lengthy shoreline.
Several years back, the invitation went out to the family to join them one evening to watch the full moon come up at New Smyrna Beach. My boyfriend at the time and I drove over and joined the clan. My brother-in-law had a fire pit going and as the sun’s rosy glow dwindled behind us, the full moon rose up on the far-off horizon of the Atlantic before us. It was enormous. It was so large that it took our breath away. Ivory colored, with craters shadowed on its surface, I will never forget that humbling, overflowing moon on that chilly, fall night.
endless breaking waves
sparks fly against silhouettes
full moon’s ascension
Toni returns with Haibun Monday at 3PM EST. Read her presentation at dVerse Poets Pub for all of the details.
Bodhirose's Blog 
silentlyheardonce
/ November 13, 2016Excellent. You told both the story and Haiku so well I could see and feel the night on the beach.
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Bodhirose
/ November 14, 2016Thank you very much, Kim, I appreciate your compliment!
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Anonymous
/ November 14, 2016Beautiful! The moon creates such lovely impressions in our minds. Memories, a feeling of being watched over, etc. I remember a huge moon when I was at Westminster Choir College back in the late 60’s. It looked like an orange VW in the sky! Great haiku to end this haibun.
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ladynyo
/ November 14, 2016Posting this again….your haiku lovely and appropriate. The moon evokes so many memories for all of us. I think of the moon as a protection from the night.
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Bodhirose
/ November 14, 2016Thank you, Jane. Many a night I’ve looked up to the moon for comfort, especially as a child.
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ladynyo
/ November 14, 2016Yep…me, too. The moon was the only secure and quiet thing at times.
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lynn__
/ November 14, 2016What a spectacular sight for your beach party!
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Bodhirose
/ November 14, 2016It really was, Lynn!
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Grace
/ November 14, 2016I have seen a moon rise in my lifetime so I can relate to the awe-inspiring sight ~ What an ascension it is ~ Look the haibun Gayle ~
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Bodhirose
/ November 14, 2016So glad you liked this, Grace, and that you’ve been able to watch a moon rise.
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ November 14, 2016I have seen the moon many time, but what I remember most is its light rather than such a spectacular sight… I start to sing Mike Oldfield when reading your haibun.
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Bodhirose
/ November 14, 2016You would never forget seeing a moon such as that one coming up over the sea…so huge! I had to look up Mike Oldfield and found a song called Moonlight Shadow. 🙂
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ November 14, 2016Indeed.. one I do remember very well from my youth
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kanzensakura
/ November 14, 2016What a glorious sight that must have been! Wonderful haibun. I too would look out on the moon as comfort, night light, and friend.
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016Thank you, Toni. Yes, it was pretty cool. There was something about looking up into the sky for comfort… I got to visit my sister and brother-in-law today at our mother’s house today and I reminisced with him about that night…and that extraordinary moon. We’ve made plans to do it again soon.
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kanzensakura
/ November 17, 2016Sounds like a definite plan to me!
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sarahsouthwest
/ November 14, 2016Oh wow – amazing! I’m impressed by your family’s organisational skills and planning, too. It sounds like a memorable evening, you share it so beautifully with us.
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016Well, it was more like the word goes out to all of us and whoever can make it shows up. 🙂 We do enjoy each other’s company…it was a very memorable night. Thanks, Sarah!
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Brian
/ November 14, 2016I like all the contrasts of warmth and cold, the sea and moon.
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016Thank you, Brian.
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kim881
/ November 14, 2016There’s nothing more exhilarating than a beach by moonlight. What a fabulous way to spend the evening, with a fire pit, the sun going down and the moon rising! You’ve described the moon beautifully, Gayle, and I can see it, ‘Ivory colored, with craters shadowed on its surface’ and the haiku sums up the scene perfectly.
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016So true…it’s something almost magical out there on the beach. Thank you, Kim.
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katiemiafrederick
/ November 14, 2016I’ll never forget one of my
first dates with a southern
baptist girl named Janet.. in my mom’s
car.. sister in tow too.. Janet in back seat..
me in front.. a song named Moonlight feels
right came on the radio..
and the moon
was big
as ever
as we
traveled bridge cross
a Summer sparkling
bay from shore to shore in
moonlight magic in tune with
song.. i reached back and touched
her leg.. and her non-verbal language
said move your hand now.. so i did and
what i still remember is the magic of that song
and night no matter what as love was in the air for me..
and never a
word
was spoken
over hand or leg..
but hey.. it wasn’t pg rated either..
all G with no P in those days innocent
under moonlit niGht oF eYes with Love..;)
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016Thanks for sharing your moonlight excursion with Janet, little sister and you trying to make a move on Janet’s leg, Frederick. Seems those times of youth make an especially indelible impression on our memories. Sweet. 🙂
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katiemiafrederick
/ November 16, 2016And thanks my friEnd
For helping
To Bring
That
Sweet
Memory
Back..:)
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Arcadia Maria
/ November 14, 2016Lovely haibun here.
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016Thank you, much!
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Adriana Citlali Ramírez
/ November 15, 2016Beautiful story. I especially like the vivid description in the second paragraph.
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016Thanks very much, Adriana…glad you liked it.
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Rosemary Nissen-Wade
/ November 15, 2016How very memorable!
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016It was!
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Bryan Ens
/ November 15, 2016the waves and sparks of the haiku…what a fantastic way that must have been to watch the moon’s birth from the sea!
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016It truly was, Bryan…awe inspiring.
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Lorna's Voice
/ November 15, 2016Ah, I just love the moon and listening to ocean waves! Nirvana. Sigh…
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016Yes, they make for a great combo, Lorna!
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Kathy Reed
/ November 15, 2016Oh how wonderful it must have been..it catches you by surprise if you are there at the right time to get that magnified view…sweet write!
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016It truly does catch you by surprise…just the magnitude of it in so many ways. Thanks very much, Kathy.
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whippetwisdom
/ November 15, 2016What a beautiful experience, I can feel the comfort in the moonlight, and I love your haiku :o)
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Bodhirose
/ November 16, 2016Many thanks, Xenia…there is a comfort there that I love. 🙂
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whippetwisdom
/ November 17, 2016☺
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Misky
/ November 17, 2016Such a wonderful memory!
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Bodhirose
/ November 17, 2016It truly is, thank you!
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Mish
/ November 18, 2016I like how the moon brought you all together, shining on you with love and light. I could picture the scene around the fire with sparks and silhouettes…so warm and beautiful.
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Bodhirose
/ November 22, 2016It was a lovely night with the family out there on the beach, Mish…thank you!
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sree
/ November 18, 2016beautiful vivid image!
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Bodhirose
/ November 22, 2016Thank you very much, Sree!
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