Night

~Night~

When day is done and night has come in its beauty and splendour

And mortals lie deep in that sleep to which we must surrender

The air grows still the earth bows down as she comes out walking

The stones stand tall the branches fall- the streams and brooks stop talking.

As she stands a maiden fair we really wouldn’t see her there

Her ghostly skin and ethereal air- the stardust in her golden hair

Her hands so gently touch the rocks leaving trails of bright green moss

She whispers to the snake and Ox- the Badger Owl and the Fox

She walks the forest paths for hours lighting up the leaves and flowers

Like the stars that shine so bright all through the dark cold winter nights

In the summer and the fall she’s there always the same for all

She runs so fast and stands so tall- the Belle of the dark midnight ball

As Mother she treads and flowers bloom despite the cold damp and the gloom

Sits with frightened children in their rooms and lonely spirits in their tombs

When all the crops and plants are grown it’s almost time for the wise crone

First though they think they’re all alone -she helps weary night travellers home

As Crone the wise old woman sits and listens to the Will’O’Wisps

She looks at the fast sinking moon and knows she must be going soon

She listens to the birds and flowers both singing in the morning hours

The trees rising up like dark towers relinquish their great night time powers

If you can stop amidst your miles and sit upon a wooden stile

And stay right there for just awhile you’ll hear her voice and feel her smile

All three beings in just one night it takes her strength and all her might

There until the dawns first light- the gentle spirit of the night

(c) Berenice Wakefield 2011