By the Light of the Perigee Moon

June 23, 2013

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.

 The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor.

   The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard.

             He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred.

He did not come in the dawning. He did not come at noon;
   And out o' the tawny sunset, before the rise o' the moon.

       "One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I am after a prize tonight,

        But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;

        Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,

        Then look for me by moonlight, 

                          Watch for me by moonlight,

         I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."

Because of its elliptical orbit, the moon was at its closest to us on June 23, 2013.

 It appeared 13% bigger and 30% brighter.