Mark Scrivener Poetry Blog No 75 Night

NIGHT

This poem was originally written with younger readers in mind and published in the NSW School Magazine. It might be called a lullaby of metaphors. It is the classic ballad form of four feet per line and four lines per stanza. The feet are iambic ( unstressed, stressed) however the lines starting "Night is.." would tend to be read as a trochaic substitution (Stressed, unstressed Night is..) but this variation tends to add rhythmic interest rather than break the overall form. 

Photo M. Scrivener

                                    NIGHT

Night is the dark leaves whispering;

Night is the moon-boat sailing west;

Night is the song that crickets sing

When butterflies have gone to rest.

Night is the silent road that runs

Through darkness for growl-gleaming cars.

Night is the light of many suns

So far away they are just stars.

Night is the dark waves on the shore.

Night is the sleep that brings dawn's gleam.

Night is the moonlight on the door.

Night is the riddle of the dream.

Night is the healer of day's strife,

A light that day's eyes cannot see.

The slumber that renews all life;

The soundless, star-sung symphony.