Darwin and the Moon Poem by Jürgen Rooste

When Darwin looked at the Moon
and saw and knew
just what we see
and know
might his gaze
have searched there
between the moon-seas and moon-mountains
for moon-cities and moon-villages?
Upon which flashed the thought
of how moon-evolution transpired
what that rocky nature
had chosen
whether there might be gods up there
and hope
for a better future?

What did Darwin think
looking up from a Galapagos island
at the blood-red full moon?

Translated from Estonian by Adam Cullen