Strawberry Winter Moon

Hiking up the giant rock
to beat the sun to get to the top.
The bush quivers, dry and tawny.
Crisp blue skies are turning golden.

The ascent is steep
and on the horizon the sun does peep.
On lichen rock mounds we take our break
and on wood fire smoke our gaze does partake.

Harare's pollution smudges the sky
and below us the whale rock does lie.
The first stars prick our view
and soon the Milky Way is due.

It is the winter solstice and a full moon
which means it will take a strawberry hue.
The night deepens as we wait
and the chilly wind we can't escape.
Then up over yonder an orange slice
and rapidly the globe does arise,
an orb of light on this wintry night.