Before they privatized the moon

Before they privatized the moon

The world was wilder then.
Young beggars ruled the night,
taking its glow for granted
as though it were their right,

as though the unexceptional
were owed a silver spoon
and the lowliest coyote
entitled to the moon.

Like everyone’s old friend,
unquestioning, unswerving,
it shone through broken windows
on the undeserving,

scattered light like coins
across the open sea,
sieved itself through treetops
in public parks for free,

and followed lonely passengers
on elevated trains
past rows of barbed-wired fences
garlanded with chains.

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