A short tale of the ocean and the moon

A short tale of the ocean and the moon

By: Aniya Reese

The ocean

The ocean vast and stunning. Deep, cool, warm, soothing, dangerous. When we go to the ocean we tell each other “don’t go to deep” “stay close” or “you’ll get taken away”. We are afraid to explore the depths of the ocean, afraid of what we may encounter. The “creatures of the deep” so to say. Typically we stay at the shallow ends of the ocean. Those who say they’ve traveled to the bottom of the ocean have only been for but a few hours. They explore a little and then venture back to the top. Back to the shallow waters where things aren’t too deep and are easier to handle. We use the ocean as temporary enjoyment. When the ocean begins to show out, we get scared and evacuate. When the temperature changes and the ocean is no longer “just right” we abandon it. But, we know the ocean will always be there. So we go off and find other things that will make us temporarily happy until we need the ocean again. The ocean knows that it deserves more. The ocean knows that it is isn’t scary when properly maneuvered. The ocean wants to show all of its depths and vastness to something that will appreciate it and not just be used as a temporary fix. The ocean wants something to stay and watch over it forever.

The moon

The moon so high in the sky. Beautiful, when full and bright. Always there to illuminate the dark night. We love to see the moon. Symbolizing the end of a long day, cooling down the earth after it’s been scorched by the sun, bringing along with it millions of beautiful stars. To us, the moon is amazing but what do we really know about the moon? Few people have made it to the moon. The ones who have made it, did they take the time to understand the moon? Or were they just there to say they were on the moon? We see the moon at a distance and think that it is perfect. We use it in our everyday lives, to calculate things, to explain our personalities, and to cleanse our souls. But honestly, what do we know? The moon is constantly changing going through phases in hopes to reach its full potential. Surrounded by millions of balls of hot gas and furious energy. Meteoroids crashing and thrashing all around it. Imagine the noise. Imagine the pressure the moon must feel to shine as bright as it can every night for us. The moon hears us praising it, using it for our needs but sees that somehow it is still all alone. All alone in the sky working to keep us at ease. There are nights when the moon wants to hide behind the dark clouds of the night and just cry. The moon enjoys being the strong light of the night but wants more. The moon knows that all of its phases have potential not just its full phase. The moon knows that these fiery stars are not the company it needs to keep. The moon wants something to cool the fire around it. Something that will understand the beauty of all eight if its phases. Something that will be there forever.

When the moon notices the ocean

I see you. I’ve always had my eyes on you. You’re so beautiful. You spread further than the eye can reach but I see all of you. Just from the sight of your gorgeous waves I know that you are for me. I want to feel you, I want to look deep inside of your body. I want you, but you don’t notice me. I’m here high in the sky surrounded by all of these flaming stars. Some shine bright and some burn out quickly. Many have caught my attention but they all seem to bring the same fiery energy out of me and I no longer desire that. I want the cooling feeling you seem to bring to people. I see that people don’t stay around you for long. On the days when the sun clocks out early they never come around. And I wonder why that it is. Everything about you is beautiful. And I know I could make you even more beautiful. You probably wouldn’t understand. Being alone up here gives me the chance to understand myself and only myself. I go through these phases where I can only give pieces of myself. People don’t understand the pieces, but when I show my full self they pretend to understand and they take advantage. They take advantage of my beauty of my strength and of my light. But when I’m down and can only give the pieces they don’t notice me as much. I yearn for something to understand my pieces. I have a feeling it may be you. But like I said, you don’t notice me. You’re occupied. Your body is filled with shallow dwellers. I’m willing to dive deep inside of you. I know this may seem farfetched but I can really see how beautiful your depths are. I just need you to notice me. High in the sky, all by myself.

The ocean viewing the moon

I see you around and I see that when you come around the shallow dwellers scatter. They sit on the land and admire you. They share their deepest insecurities under your light. They make love, they cry, they laugh, all under the light you give. Something about you gives them the strength to be vulnerable. You’re amazing but so far away from me. When the people leave me and I am left alone with you I wonder if you notice me. I see so many beautiful stars around you that I know you don’t have time to focus down here. I notice that your light changes often. Sometimes there is more of you shown then other times. When there is no one around I focus on your parts, and how they make me feel. Each time it’s a different... beautiful feeling. But when the golden sun comes out and the shallow dwellers come back my body is occupied and my mind is focused on making them happy. My body slams and splashes around them. They love it, they enjoy it. It makes me happy to see them enjoying me but honestly it’s not enough. During the moments they are inside my body I constantly hear “don’t go too deep” and I really wish they would. The deeper you go the more exciting I am. What I hold in my depths is greater than anything at my surface. The things I can create below are amazing beautiful, awesome! But these people are afraid to see what is there. They continue to use me for their own selfish reasons and keep me around because they know I will always be there. But there is more to me. I, the ocean, can cleanse your mind body and soul and recreate you as something more beautiful than you can ever imagine. When the shallow dwellers leave I look up to you and wonder if you’d go deep enough and allow me to recreate something beautiful with you.

The moon's gravity reaches all parts of Earth, but its pull only noticeably affects large bodies of water, resulting in tides. The moon's gravitational pull is strongest at the sub-lunar point, which is the point on the Earth where the moon is directly overhead.

The sub-lunar point vs. the moon

I’ve been watching you for a long time now. You handle yourself so gracefully. I’m still not 100% sure if you understand all of my pieces. But something about the way you reflect my light lets me know that this feeling is real. I’m here at this sub-lunar point and the attraction is undeniable. I’m trying my hardest, giving you all that I have and I hope that you are close enough to feel my pull. Inside of my core I know that all I want is you. Day after day I’ve been watching you I see deep inside of your waves. I see all of your beauty and I can’t wait to explore you more. You are enticing Ocean. I know the shallow dwellers make it seem like they need you but they won’t love you the way I will. I will never leave you alone. Even when the golden sun is high in the sky I am only a few hundred miles back cheering you on excited to see your body shimmer under the sun rays. If you are willing to take them I will give you all of my pieces. New moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter moon, and waning crescent. I know it may seem like a lot but they’re all playing a role and they all come with a different type of beauty. I promise to care for you as long as you care for me. You’re awesome Miss. Ocean. Before we slip away from this sub-lunar point take me as I am because together we will be unstoppable.

The sub-lunar point vs. the ocean

At this point I can’t focus. My waves are unruly and the shallow dweller are afraid. But I’ve never felt so good. I feel so attracted to… you Moon. All I can think about is you and all of your phases. The way you look beautiful in all you different shapes. The way each piece of you reflects a different light on me. I was blinded by the stars around you but now I see you stand on your own. With or without the stars you can brighten the entire sky. You stand on your own and I hate to see you that way. You deserve something that won’t burn something that will cool you down. You deserve love. You deserve something that will understand all eight of your phases. And yes I know there are eight because I’ve counted. And I memorized them and the way they make me feel. I’m open to learning more about them if you are willing. You deserve that, something to pay attention to you even when you aren’t shining your brightest. You are amazing, astonishing, out of this world. Moon, you are one of one. And to me you are perfect Mr. Moon. I want you in my deepest areas. I want you to know the parts of me that the shallow dwellers wouldn’t dare explore. At this sub-lunar point I am willing to forget any memories left by the shallow dwellers and create new one with you. I see you Mr. Moon, and I’ve seen you for some time now. I’ve always felt an attraction towards you. But today, when you are right above me, I feel the greatest pull I’ve ever felt. And I surrender to you Mr. Moon. Your phases are amazing and every different stage of you hold meaning in who you are. The strong beautiful moon that you are. I was afraid that you wouldn’t notice me or be attracted to me because I am not as strong as you. I allow the shallow dwellers to take advantage of my beauty when in fact I should’ve saved it for you. Before we lose this sub-lunar point give me all of you and I promise to give you all of me without any interruptions. Together Mr. Moon we will be beautiful.

The most physical and strongest connection between the planet and the moon is the connection through the moon and the ocean.

Mr. Moon and Miss. Ocean together

Together the moon and the ocean create beautiful things. The moon helped the ocean realize that she doesn’t have to give her all to those who don’t appreciate her. So when the golden sun is high and the shallow dwellers make their way to the ocean the moon helps the ocean create calm waves that we can handle. She is happy to see us enjoy her but knows when we leave the moon will be there exploring her depths creating wild beautiful waves that we will never understand. When the moon goes through his phases and only gives the world pieces of himself the ocean is there for him reflecting the small bits of light back into the sky so that the world still sees him as the strong moon that they know. The moon is grateful that he has the ocean there for him, always giving him the extra support and confidence boost he needs. Even when the moon is at his full phase shining bright for the people to see the ocean is still there helping him shine even brighter. Together the moon and the ocean create a love that we all wish we could have.