the lichens, grow
by spreading, gray, concentric shocks.
They have arranged to meet the rings around the moon,
although within our memories they have not changed.
And since the heavens will attend
as long on us,
you've been, dear friend,
precipitate and pragmatical;
and look what happens. For Time
is nothing if not amenable.
The shooting stars in your black hair
in bright formation
are flocking where,
so straight, so soon?
-- Come, let me wash it in this big tin basin,
battered and shiny like the moon.
Elizabeth Bishop, 'The Shampoo.' From A Cold Spring, 1955.
Douglas Rosin: Rare Brooch of the Moon and Stars by Los Castillo. Mexico, 1950s.
Douglas Rosin: Rare Brooch of the Moon and Stars by Los Castillo. Mexico, 1950s.