Good Night...

   

(I had to think of the Waltons tonight as 'goodnights' were exchanged:)

Night always overtakes the day and turns the page of time

It tucks the darkness like a blanket over croft and clime

It softens its appointments, snuffs toil’s menial siren cry

As arms become a cradle and wind-song a lullaby

‘Goodnight, sleep tight, I love you’, and ‘I love you too, my dear’

Then one by one the windows that were yellow disappear

And all is still and silent save the cricket-choir’s tune

As minstrels of September serenade the stars and moon

Night brushes from the calendar another day that was

It dips the sky in diamonds, frees the hour of its cause

And washes in around us like a black and velvet sea

Night overtakes the day and renders it to history

© Janet Martin