By moonlight

Milky fingernail

It peeps over the horizon

Then rises boldly

Into the darkening sky

Driving the sun

Off the western edge

And replacing the golden rays

With opalescent gleam

Her cool light shines

Moonbeams dance on water

And cast deep shadows

As creatures scuffle under bushes

Searching for their prey

Oft shrouded in dark clouds

Her glow then muted

Yellowed, greyed

Made yet more milky

'Til she emerges again

She brings the tides

Which surge upon the shores

Makes dogs howl

And nervous birds flutter

Even lonely people

Mutter to themselves

Their eyes smudged

By restless nights

Bathed in pearly light

Her power is more subtle

Her hand more deft

And yet she is formidable

She will not burn you

Nor cause your eyes to squint

But she will send you disquieting dreams

And buzzing insects

And yowling cats

And gooseflesh on your skin

When the round moon sashays across the sky

Then gentle creatures must hide

For predators stalk in every shadow

Hungry for their supper

Teeth sharpened for the kill

Mouths salivating

Eyes alert and ears pricked

Waiting and coiled

To pounce on their prey

Be it leathery bats

Or silent, taloned owls

Spiders with sticky webs

A snake on a summer's night

A patient black cat

A man with ill-intent

A cunning, smiling fox

All have come to kill

To net their trophy

She dances across the sky

A round, glowing orb

Beautiful and dangerous

Aloof of all the destruction

That trails in her wake

The moon