Wednesday, 19 January 2011 – FULL MOON! The FULL MOON has been celebrated in literature throughout history.  Legends, stories, tales, songs and poems have been written about it.  This is a night when the moon reaches her full illuminated capacity in the night sky… the sun and moon are opposite one another and the Earth is between them.  Take a peek into tonight’s sky with your children and enjoy FULL MOON by 20th century English poet Walter de la Mare…

FULL MOON – by Walter de la Mare

One night as Dick lay fast asleep,
Into his drowsy eyes
A great still light began to creep
From out the silent skies.
It was the lovely moon’s, for when
He raised his dreamy head,
Her surge of silver filled the pane
And streamed across his bed.
So, for a while, each gazed at each-
Dick and the solemn moon-
Till, climbing slowly on her way,
She vanished, and was gone.

Read the poem with your children.  This is a verse about a boy named Dick and the moon.  The moon is referenced at she… and it’s a point of interest to tell your children that the moon is considered feminine in most cultures.  Ask your children:  What is Dick doing as the poem begins?  What is the great still light?  Is Dick frightened by the light?  What word makes us realize that the moon is not frightful (lovely)?  What is the surge of silver (the moon’s light)?  Where does this light go (fills the window pane and spreads across Dick’s bed)?  By now, Dick is still sleepy, but he gazes as the moon as she gazes back at him.  Here, the moon is given human characteristics.  She gazes at Dick for awhile through the window, then she slowly moves on her way.  She vanishes.  Where do you think the moon has gone?

Children are fascinated by the moon.  The full moon is especially enthralling because of its great light, great size, seeming closeness to Earth and grand ceremony.  She does sit in the night sky and gaze at us as we gaze at her.  Do you have a window in your home where the moon creeps in from the silent sky, illuminating the room?  If the full moon is visible this evening, head to a window or outside and read the poem again.  Substitute your children’s names… and watch the magic.  Your children will never forget the night, or the poem.

LITERACY is all about the WORDS – Written, Spoken, Felt.