Tevis Moon

The most beautiful moon I have ever seen

rose behind the Sierra Nevadas,

over the high desert to light the trail for my riders.

That moon was luminous

enough that the riders could see their shadows,

they could ignore the inadequate glow sticks

to find their way in the dark on to Auburn.

I could only imagine

what the last miles were like for them,

as the moon shrank, the night lengthened,

the trail shortened, but not fast enough.

I watched the moon reflect on No Hands Bridge,

over the American River

the night's lantern gleaming on the metal,

the muffled hoofbeats and murmurs overhead

as the riders came down the switchbacks to the bridge.

On they rode, the last weary miles to the Fairgrounds

where we met them with blankets and cheers,

jackets and camera flashes,

helpful hands and hugs of joy.

The most beautiful moon I have ever seen

stayed in the sky with the riders slept in exhaustion,

under layers of comforters.

While we blankets and fed tired horses

kept vigil over them.

Now, the beautiful moon shines over the Missouri farmlands,

touching my heart with tears and memories.

Wonder what is past.

Watch the moon float through the farmland clouds

bringing rain and storms here,

all the while guiding riders there.

Tonight, I am not there,

but the luminous moon,

the beautiful moon keeps me company too.