Becky Reyes: Blog

Tonight as we were coming home from our gig at Viaggio Italiano in Sonoita, I caught the glimpse of a red object just down the hill from us on the plain. My initial thought that it was a reflection of a red light in the window but I quickly realized that it was the moon rising over the hill just slightly below us. It was a bit of an optical illusion because the moon doesn't really rise below us, but it seemed that way. It was huge and red, as if looking at the moon through a glass of red wine. There were no other lights around us (Sonoitans love their night skies, and I love them for it).

I immediately thought I surely must find an omen in a blood-red moon, but the only thing that came to me was that this world is stunning. I stared at the moon until it rose higher and turned a lighter and lighter color. It was breath-taking.

I shared this on facebook and my friend, Candy Royden, asked why the moon might have been red. I responded, "Don't know why the moon was red. I first thought that it might be a reflection of something on the window but quickly realized it was the moon. We have had some fires in the southwest (in the Chiricahuas I think) so that may have played a part. Candy, it was so red. Deep. Dark. Strange. My elemental mind wanted to find an omen, but I was so thrilled and realized that it was a sign that life on earth is mysterious and beautiful and all the explanations in the world wouldn't make it more or less breathtaking, so I sat back and just marveled at the sight. I love our little world."

Candy, inspired by the event, wrote a beautiful poem. I've copied it here to share with you.

La Luna Roja

~ Dedicated to Becky Reyes ~

I don't know why the moon is red
as if the night has somehow bled upon its face
A glow so strange and dark and deep
A mystery for me to keep, but not to chase

A blood-red moon with its ruby light
I marvel at it, crimson, bright, a jewel in space
The cause is best unknown to me
for it does not change the sight I see and now embrace

A scarlet moon on a summer's night
brings fascination and delight to this day's end
A sanguine orb, with its radiance rare,
keeps me spellbound as I stare, and to another world transcend

By Candace Royden
June 30, 2010