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On Angels and Messengers

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Why "MOONSHADOW"?

Why name a boat "Moonshadow".  Why change the name from "Ariel"?

A new phase of my life has begun.  After being together damn-near 46 years, I miss Debbi profoundly.  I considered naming the boat in her memory, like "Summer Song" by Chad & Jeremy, but then I'd get melancholy every time I thought about it.  Memories are safe in the past; nothing can harm them there.  The future is a concept; nothing will ever happen there.  All we have is this moment, right now.  Whoops, it's gone ... but here's another.  

I am indeed "leaping and hopping on a moonshadow".  I face a very real possibility of losing my right leg. (Put the bone-saw down, Doc, I've got some options to explore). I do believe that the "faithful light has found me".   I found the following interpretation of "MOONSHADOW"on Songfacts.com. Perhaps it should be called an interpolation. Whatever.  As a description of this moment, for me, I'll  quote from MY COUSIN, VINNY. "Dead on-balls accurate."**
 
MOONSHADOW

 
[Cat Stevens] wrote this about finding hope in any situation. Be present and joyful.
See life as it is, right now, and don't compare it to others' lives, or other times in your life.
Every moment in life is rich and unique; whether we are aware of it or not,
     we are always leaping and hopping on a moonshadow - the inescapable present moment.
If we are wrapped up in our whirlpools of worry and concern about what could be,
     or what has been, we are missing the richness of life as it is.
In the bridge of the song, Stevens seems to be speaking of faith, indicating ... that,
     although he is experiencing this ecstasy in the present, despite all the losses and
     suffering of existence, it is the light that has found him, and not the other way around.
     He is surrendering to a power greater than himself - the "faithful light." 

                                                                                                                        -- from Songfacts.com
 

Oh, I'm bein' followed by a moonshadow, moon shadow, moonshadow---
Leapin and hoppin' on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow---

And if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my land,
Oh if I ever lose my hands, Oh if I won't have to work no more.
And if I ever lose my eyes, if my colors all run dry,
Yes if I ever lose my eyes, Oh if I won't have to cry no more.

[Chorus]

And if I ever lose my legs, I won't moan, and I won't beg,
Yes if I ever lose my legs, Oh if I won't have to walk no more.
And if I ever lose my mouth, all my teeth, north and south,
Yes if I ever lose my mouth, Oh if I won't have to talk...

Did it take long to find me? I asked the faithful light.
Did it take long to find me? And are you gonna stay the night?

[Chorus]
Moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow.



**Coincidentally, that same phrase was used  many years ago to describe my seat-of-pants navigation when we sailed this very same boat from Oswego to Sackett's Harbor, despite small-craft warnings issued after we were well underway .  Not bad, considering the wind-drift and waves that resembled my garage. I have a photograph ... somewhere.