Compare Poems on a Similar Theme: 'The Moon' and 'Is the Moon Tired?'

In this activity, we will read two poems about the moon and compare them.

The first is by Robert Louis Stevenson, who was born in 1850.

The moon

The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
On streets and fields and harbour quays,
And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.

The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon,
All love to be out by the light of the moon.

But all of the things that belong to the day
Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes
Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.

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The second poem is by Christina Rossetti, who was born in 1830.

Is the moon tired?

Is the moon tired? she looks so pale
Within her misty veil:
She scales the sky from east to west,
And takes no rest.

Before the coming of the night
The moon shows papery white;
Before the dawning of the day
She fades away.

Read both poems a few times, so that you are familiar with them, but remember that you can look back at them as often as you like by clicking the red help button on the screen.