The Moon's Funeral by Hilaire Belloc
This narrative revolves around a lunar funeral procession, where the moon is mourned and celebrated by various celestial bodies. The story is told through a series of vignettes, each describing a different aspect of the moon's life and death. The narrative begins with the moon's birth, described as a "great white egg" that hatches into a glowing orb. As it grows, the moon becomes a source of light and inspiration for the other celestial bodies, who gather to celebrate its beauty. However, the moon's existence is also marked by periods of darkness and despair, during which it is shrouded in shadow and appears as a mere "ghostly glow." These moments are often accompanied by feelings of melancholy and loss among the other celestial bodies. The narrative culminates with the moon's funeral procession, where its friends and admirers gather to pay their respects. The procession is described as a grand and solemn affair, with the moon's body borne aloft on a great chariot drawn by stars. Throughout the narrative, the tone is one of quiet reverence and awe, as the celestial bodies reflect on the moon's significance and impact on their lives. The story is ultimately a meditation on the fleeting nature of existence and the importance of cherishing the beauty that surrounds us.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Fantasy · 232 words
First lines
I. The Moon is dead. I saw her die.
She in a drifting cloud was drest, She lay along the uncertain west, A dream to see.
And very low she spake to me: "I go where none may understand, I fade into the nameless land, And there must lie perpetually. " And therefore I, And therefore loudly, loudly I And high And very piteously make cry: "The Moon is dead. I saw her die."
II. And will she never rise again?
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The Moon's Funeral is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1906 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Fantasy, Symbolism, Lyric
- Length: 232 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
- Poeta Fit Non Nascitur by Lewis Carroll
- To Our Readers by Oliver Herford
- The Gnomes by Jorge Luis Borges
- The New Vestments by Edward Lear
- The Pelican Chorus by Edward Lear
- The Ass With Three Legs by Jorge Luis Borges
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem mourns the death of the Moon, expressing sorrow and lamentation, which are key elements of an elegy.
- Fantasy — The narrative involves fantastical elements such as the Moon speaking and dying, which are not grounded in reality.
- Symbolism — The Moon serves as a symbol, possibly representing broader themes of loss and the passage of time, typical of symbolic literature.
Tags
Fiction · Poetry · Satire · Humor · Fantasy · Literary Fiction · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Dark Comedy · Absurdism · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism