The Gift

She paces By his side On a quiet street, Leafy and wide. The evening air is balmy And a golden half moon Of August Hangs high In the sky. "How beautiful is the Moon", She says, "Brighter than in June. "A pity it is not full tonight". "You know", He tells her smiling, "This thing may sound Really puzzling, But, The part missing From the Moon, Is actually hidden In a lagoon. Nevertheless, I offer it to you as a gift, Before the scene Would alter and shift, And for good measure, Fortune and luck, I will pluck For you The other half, too, So that you will possess And own quite soon The complete moon". "Oh, no", she says, "I don't want the moon, Neither half, Nor the whole of it, I don't want it soon Nor in next June. Not even a small part. Just give me, instead, Your uncut heart".