Redbean Mooncake
by Jingjing Xu
I brought in a redbean mooncake
to share with my friends
on the day that the Moon is at its full potential –
harnessed with the power
to blind,
to redeem,
to elegize,
to clean.
A submission to her ubiquitous power
that she wears as her Empress’ Headdress:
the knowledge that
even when her presence is subtle,
she holds the persuasion
to move the oceans.
A recognition of the melancholy
that she positions on her celestial crystal towers:
the search for a cure for homesickness
in her healing beams
where wanderers need only crane their necks
to be connected to their kindred.
A pleading for her guiding light
in episodes of weighty grief:
the triad of incense,
slowly falling
into bone white ash
and lit up at the ends
with channels of Moonlight
that overwhelm the senses
of the living
to bring momentary life
to the dead.
I cut the redbean mooncake
into six pieces
using the plastic two-pronged fork
and matching knife set
to share with my friends
for the Moon’s holy worship.