the camel jumped over the moon

Last night, the moon was "taken." So said Mauritanians during the deep partial lunar eclipse, an astronomical event that turned the moon a threatening crimson and inspired extended prayer calls and religious worry verging on terror.

Men left for prayer early and returned home late, loudspeakers blared from mosque rooftops begging God to release the moon, and dozens of tanned faced turned skyward to watch the sun's reflection dwindle to a sliver.

I broke a disgusting hours-long marathon of Heroes to watch celestial bodies veer in and out of reflective light paths. It was a grounding thing to do: crane my neck and appreciate the vastness and the spherical boulder that is my neighbor.

It eclipsed my father's birthday. I feel more guilty than forgetful.