Tag Archives: monthly phase

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It’s already the third December Monday of 2024. And with temps, here in the heart of the heartland, lingering in the 20’s and 30’s at night, naturally my imagination wanders off into island time.

What? A December Monday doesn’t affect you that way?

Well, maybe that’s just because you haven’t waxed, poetically, about what’s waning gibbous out there in the middle of the night. No, I’m not talking about the street zombies with their convex or protuberant eyes. I’m talking about that beautiul moon with its observable illuminated part greater than a semicircle and less than a circle.

It was a similar sort of day and night, way back in 1976, when I wrote the lyrical story about a very special elephant from Puerto Rico. And it was winter time in the heart of the heartland, then, too. Which, of course, helps you conjure up images of sunny beaches and warm temps.

So, that’s why I picked this third December Monday, near the end of 2024, to share the following lyrics. They’re just for fun. Because I want you to get your week started off on the right foot. Full of love, Light, and laughter.

Marimba, The Yellow Elephant

They got a lotta pretty, white beach in Puerto Rico
Where you can hear the tambourines and castanets,
But the finest thing they got is a yellow elephant.
He named Marimba, a friend you can’t forget.
You may say you never heard of a yellow elephant,
But it’s true, and Marimba, he quite a lucky guy.
You see he stays as yellow as Puerto Rican bananas
By basking ‘neath the balmy Puerto Rico sky.
Marimba, Marimba…you lucky elephant…
Lying in the sand like a seashell.
You got Mister Blue Ocean to put you to sleep.
You get oh so drowsy from the stories he tell.
They got places down there that look like pictures.
They got weather that is sunny all day long,
But nothing can compare with the yellow elephant.
I ask you, am I right or am I wrong?
Come to Puerto Rico.
Come to see the sights,
But most of all come to see Marimba.
It’s like looking at a thousand yellow light.

© 1976 Tony Funderburk

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light to help you focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

Stay tuned…

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Crescent Moon is a phase and not the end of days

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

One of the most beautiful and poetic lights in the sky is the crescent moon. Often written about…used as a logo…a symbol of different meanings to different peoples, it’s technically is just the sliver of light we see on the moon as it goes through a certain monthly phase.

So, the crescent moon is just a phase.

But don’t try to tell that to the poets, philosophers, and dreamy-eyed songwriters of the centuries. There has been no end to the attempts at capturing emotions using this monthly sliver of light in the night sky.

And I’m certainly no exception. I recently wrote a song for my “Bedtime Buckaroos” collection of lullaby songs for kids called “Cowpoke’s Lullaby.” In it I described the crescent moon as a “fingernail moon.” If you’ve read my illustrated ebook or seen the video that goes with the song, you already know what I meant.

About 40 years ago I wrote a little song called “Crescent Moon,” and it was about that same sliver of light. Only that time I was describing a common feeling I shared with someone else, and the moon was a good way to tie it together. After all…no matter where you are in the world, you see the same moon I see. Right?

Well, here are the lyrics to…

Crescent Moon

I know how well you love the crescent moon.
I remember things like that,
Yes, I do remember things that make you happy.
For if anyone can say the magic words
To draw a smile on your face…
I hope that you say I can.
I know how much you love to swim in the ocean.
And I can almost see the surf splashing on your back
Making you look so dizzy.
We think so much alike, we surely must be one…
Inseparable as is the sun from the dawn.
I know how well you love to plant roses
And watch them grow, and see them bloom,
And see them glow under the crescent moon.

© 1974 Tony Funderburk
July 1

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.