A review of "Beyond the Moon's sphere

 

Berman, Ruth, 2024, Beyond the Moones Sphere, poems in eccentric orbits, crumbfairy press (2809 Drew Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416) $5 to Ruth Berman.

This chapbook contains poems about our moon, other moons, planets, aliens who live in some of these places, gardens not of this world, and even more esoteric esoterica. Most of the poems were published in various periodicals over the last 45 years or so. Yes, Berman is an experienced Mistress of this craft that we call poetry.

I love Berman's whimsical takes on matters astronomical and human. Some of these poems are fraught with useful advice. Tips on trading with siliceous organisms might come in handy, as well as warnings about what to do if you are a werewolf and find yourself stationed on the dark side of the Moon. Discourses on the fates of historical and imaginary planetary ecosystems could possibly serve as cautionary tales. Or maybe comforting bedtime stories. In "Orpheus Gives Directions to the Orphics" we are told

The roads divide and double back,

Crossing and turning in the shades,

You can wander forever in the deadlands 

If you leave the flames

The folksy, sitting in an armchair by the fire tone of this poem is typical of many of these. The ideas are fantastic; the presentation is cool as a cucumber. Most of these poems are short, but I particularly like one of the shortest, "Spacemail Correspondence:"

Letters take years 

To Fax at lightspeed,

Originals centuries to deliver. 

Write soon.

If you have a good telescope, you might grab one or two of these poems on a clear night. A much more efficient method, and one that would be quite rewarding, would be to send a check or money order for $5 and get the complete set, including cover illustration by W. W. Denslow. Be sure to ask for a list of other publications from this press; Berman is as good an editor as poet.