Under the Red Moon
Today in Korea, it is the first full moon of the lunar year.
I had been looking forward to it for days, knowing that this year’s first full moon would coincide with a total lunar eclipse, turning the moon a deep red. But it had rained since yesterday, and the forecast said the sky would remain heavily overcast until evening. I felt a quiet disappointment.
I even wondered, Should I travel somewhere with clearer skies? Yet by afternoon, the clouds began to drift away, and by nightfall, a clear sky had opened above me.
Since last summer, I have been watching the full moon each month. Even on cloudy days, even when the sky was thick with gray, somehow the moon would show its face through a break in the clouds.
The moon I saw tonight was nothing like usual.
The moment I looked up at the night sky, my body froze. The eclipse was already underway beneath a thin veil of clouds. It had not yet turned red; it looked like a crescent.
I lost my words. I could only stare.
Tears nearly came.
But I could not tell whether it was sadness, or something closer to awe.
There was still time before the moon would fully redden, so I went back inside and layered on another coat. As I wrapped my scarf and put on my coat, a memory surfaced— of myself as a child, bundling up in the middle of a winter night to watch a meteor shower.
For a long time, I had forgotten the version of myself who loved the night sky.
When the time came for the moon to turn red, I stepped outside once more. How long did I stand there? I do not know. In the cold air, I simply gazed at the moon in silence.
Without thinking, my hands folded gently in front of me.
Before reason could speak, one person came to mind.
May the pain he carries grow lighter, even just a little.
If possible, I thought I could take some of that pain upon myself.
After all, I am used to pain.
May the suffering of every living being in this world fade, even if only slightly.
And may he be united with the one he holds in his heart.
Wherever he may be, in whatever form he lives,
may he be happy.
As I wished for peace for all living things,
I found myself hoping I might be included among them.
As I pray for the happiness of others,
perhaps somewhere, someone might be praying for mine.
No—there is no need to speak weakly.
May every being in this world, myself included,
live while guarding a warm heart.
I simply stood there,
able only to gaze
at the distant moon.
In a place beyond reach,
the moon blooming and shining beautifully.
I do not want to forget the scene of this night—
The quietly
reddened moon,
and the stars flickering around it.
And also
that heart
which, in that moment,
was thinking of you.
