Stanzas: Monthly Chapbooks October 2014: Halloween | Página 2

The Lunatics Anna Victoria Lynch//Áine-Buaidheach Ní Loinsigh T hey say “Beware the Full Moon!” for the full moon makes deranged sociopaths out of reasonable men, and hysterical harpies out of respectable women. Indeed, the word lunatic is derived from the Latin word for ‘moon’. Today we associate it not with any kind of astrological impact on behaviour, but instead with those who suffer from great unsoundness of mind, regardless of what moon phase is on the calendar. I understand that this little mantra of warning is informed by superstition and concern, but on hearing it I wonder: if man can conceive such evil, harbouring thoughts of war, deceit and unkindness at any given moment, surely the full moon must always be out, and I must be blind. stanzas