Tuesday, August 25, 2015

An Ode To Night


          (written under difficulties on the front porch of “Camp Gungawamp”, with the aid of a lantern.)


The summer night is calm and still,
     No sound awakes her silencing
Except along the near-by hill
     The katydids are chorusing.
The river whispers to the shore
     As on it glides past camp and boat;
(Confound that miller! Ugh, the bore!
     He landed half way down my throat!)

Faint outline of the distant height
     (One can discern by steadfast gaze);
Beyond the twinkling gems of light,
     A million stars set in the haze.
The soul can but expand when it
     Beholds the wonders night doth bring;
(Drat thee mosquitoes, they have bit
     Until my ankles burn and sting!)

Now comes a broken morn agleam
     And scudding clouds go sailing by;
Reflected in the dancing stream
     A million jewels greet the eye.
O, night thy grandeur is adrift!
     In silent voices dost thou speak;
(Dodgast that hornbug, he has biffed
     Me on the ear and on the cheek!)

Fain, fin I’d leave thee in repose
     And sink into the arms of sleep;
It were a sin one’s eyes to close
     And lose thy beauties vast and deep.
Now comes a gentle breeze to kiss
     One’s waiting lips and bid one stay;
(Confound such puffs of wind as this!
     My papers all have blown away!)



Aug. 25, ‘09
For Aug. 29, ’09 Sun


miller – miller moth



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