Moon

If ever the moon nursed 
The sea the face
On the water's surface 
Surely would scorn me.
Another loving mother 
Whose subjects rob her
Of grief and all that's 
Allowed is a smile forced
Through the teeth.

If ever the moon wished
To be kind
You'd find she was
Passive and more gentle 
Than she'd like being.
Rather she would have
Spoken her mind
Were the sea willing to 
Listen.

Nothing's enough to lessen 
The hurt the way the world 
Has injured her,
How she seeks permission.
It is bald to speak 
To the world about inclusion.
The moon, then, represents 
An unsilenced opposition

And that begrudging smile 
Becomes the smile of 
Satisfaction. The world would 
Than share that accomplishment,
Reflect the moon's 
Face back off the still sea
And the moon's smile
Catch on to my smile,
Staring downward 

But being looked out for from 
   heaven.