To mark today’s solar eclipse, here is one of my favourite poems.
By one of my favourite poets.
Two Leading Lights, by Robert Frost.
I never happened to contrast
The two in the celestial cast
Whose prominence has been so vast.
The Sun is satisfied with days.
He never has in any phase
That I have heard of shone at night.
And yet he is a power of light
And could in one burst overwhelm
And dayify the darkest realm
By right of eminent domain.
He has the greatness to refrain.
The Moon for all her light and grace
Has never learned to know her place.
‘t’he notedest astronomers
Have set the dark aside for hers.
But there are many nights, though clear,
She doesn’t bother to appear.
Some lunatic or lunar whim
Will bring her out, diminished dim.
To set herself beside the Sun,
As Sheba came to Solomon.
It may be charitably guessed
Comparison is not her quest.
Some rumor of his wishing ring
That changes winter into spring
Has brought her merely visiting.
An irresponsible divinity
Presuming on her femininity.