In their dreams, they sleep with the moon, though I don’t think they remember it– the moon. Kirsten says she does, but she was only three when we left. Still, it’s become our bedtime ritual to say good night to things, even if she and Lilly are too old for picture books. We have no telephones or red balloons–or kittens and mittens, for that matter. I hold on to my tattered copy of Good Night Moon—print books are rare and treasured, this one especially so because I remember Jonas reading it to the girls. They and I managed to escape on the last ship from Earth. We’ll never see it or the Moon again. We’ll never see you again. Good night, moon; good night, my love. I’ve become the old woman whispering, “hush,” but in my dreams, I sleep with you.
I’m hosting dVerse today for Prosery Monday. For this prompt, everyone must use the line “In their dreams they sleep with the moon.” It’s from Mary Oliver’s, “Death at Wind River.” Good Night Moon is a popular picture book. My husband and I had it memorized at one point. **Also, a reminder that Thursday’s dVerse will be a live event.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Oh, you build that brilliantly! So poignant.
Thank you very much, Sarah!
This is incredibly heart-stirring, Merril! ❤️ And yes, I remember that picture book by Margaret Wise Brown 🙂 you have brought back so many memories!
Thank you so much, Sanaa! I’m pleased I brought back memories, and I’m glad you know the book, too.
Wow! I love this, Merril.
Thank you so much, Dale. I’m so pleased you do.
🙂
Oh, this is lovely. You almost had me in tears. We had a spare copy of Goodnight Moon in case the original fell so much apart we couldn’t use it any more 🙂
Aww–thank you. I’m glad you had that reaction. I almost made myself cry. I think we also had two copies of the book.
We’ve still got one. We kept all their favourites 🙂
We have lots of things boxed up–ours might still be around somewhere.
The eldest has already been upstairs rummaging. She wants hers to hit the ground running, obviously 🙂
😀
To leave earth behind like this… maybe it’s even harder never to see the moon… and maybe it is not there any longer.
Yes. It’s hard to imagine either way.
Enjoyable. Thanks
Thank you !
Lovely write. Happy Monday
Much💛love
Thank you so much! ❤️
I love this, Merril! I read Goodnight Moon to Lucas when I visited in August. A good book to take with you on the last ship from Earth.
Thank you, Kim. I guess it would be a good book to take. 😀
Wow! Such a moving piece, Merril. You’ve been busy today!
Thank you, Jill. I was test writing most of the day, so it was a scramble to get these things done. 😀
I agree with Sarah. Poignant.
Thank you very much, Ken!
WOW. This is stunning, visceral, and as others had said–poignant. How wonderful this is and it just pulls at your emotions. Amazing writing. As well, thank you for the fantastic prompt today. It’s quite lovely.
What a truly lovely comment. Thank you so much, Lucy!
And I’m so pleased you enjoyed the prompt.
My heart hurts thinking of leaving Earth and never seeing it or the moon again. To have it remain only in fairy tales for our children is so sad to imagine. Good beginning for a longer story.
What a wonderful comment. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome 🙂
This is tender, bittersweet, and fantastical Merril — love it! A little SciFi lullaby.
Thank you so much, Rob. A scifi lullaby–I like that! 😀
so sad but rapidly becoming more realistic by the day as we destroy our planet …
great creativity Merril!
Thank you so much, Kate. Yes, it doesn’t seem so farfetched any more–unfortunately.
Very touching story Merril! Last ship to Mars?? Sometimes It feels like this with our new normal!
Thank you, Dwight. Yes. Sigh. I don’t know where they were going. I have a feeling it’s farther than Mars.
Pure word-spun magic!
How kind! Thank you very much, Beverly!
Oh, say it may never be so…
Great write & thanks for hosting, Merril.
Thank you very much, Ron!
I’ve never thought about what it would be like never to see the moon again. It would be a great loss to me.
Thank you very much, Liz. I don’t know that we can even really imagine it–more than leaving your homeland where there’s some possibility you could see it again.
You’re welcome, Merril. I know just what you mean. I am very tied to place to maintain my equilibrium.
I enjoyed your fiction centered on a wonderful bedtime story 🙂
Thank you so much, Lynn!
A family of refugees from earth: a sobering thought and a beautiful story,
Thank you so much, Ingrid!
How very lovely. If you hadn’t accurately remembered the whole book the children would no doubt have reminded you.
Thank you so much, Derrick. We read the book so many times.
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Sweet children’s twist in your lines.
Thank you!
Merril- this is poignant and so beautiful.
Thank you very much, Linda.
The treasures that still grief, precious memories and feelings held close, beautiful.
Thank you very much, Paul.
Welcome indeed Merril.
Whoa. That book of course came to mind with the prompt but what a poignant dystopian take you rendered. Well done!
Thank you so much, D., for your lovely comment.
Le sniiff! This is so very touching, Merril!
Thank you very much, Resa!
Eerie, nostalgic and futuristic. Hopefully not a forewarning… Yes, how I loved reading this book to my kiddies. But I think I fell asleep reading it with the ‘shhhh’ sound before they did. 🙂
Thanks so much, Pam. 😀
A fun but scary look at what if. I used to teach Goodnight Moon in almost every children’s lit class! I loved teaching it.
Thanks so much, Luanne! It’s funny to me to think of the book as being taught.
There is a lot that goes into picture book design. I taught it in a two hour session but it actually could take to two hour sessions. After I taught that work I often thought Where the Wild Things Are at the next session.
No, I know there’s a lot that goes into it. 😏 It’s just all the times we read it to our kids, it’s funny to think of it as being taught.
LOL!
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