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.

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Icarus