The bloated moon in early rise

scowls an angry orange,

menacing the as yet vacant sky.

But only wait a little while.

Climbing on its arc,

accompanied by the slowly emboldened stars,

see it soften into yellow,

welcoming once again

the wonder of all at-the-window children.

Is not every worthwhile start

marked by early blood,

the sting of faltering hope and failing heart?

Before Yorktown must not there

come the dismal midnight

crossing of the icy Delaware?

Photo Credit: Skeeze: Pixabay.com Public Domain CCO License