Night in the North

(High distinction award in Margaret Reid Contest 2007)

Here in the North
Night settles gently
in a crystal sky
a gradual ballet
a slow cascade
a pastel procession
observed through sleepy eyes
of hyrax, fox and deer,
apple, cherry and the many forest trees

solstice soon
Night is less
she compensates for this
by her slow approach,
deliberate, dramatic,
the actress taking her place on stage
as light reverently steps aside
and the stars applaud her entrance,
sparkling with pleasure

on the horizon
the moon rises golden, elegant
released from invisibility,
it beams in satisfaction

and here we stand looking down
from a mountain's ledge,
as Night covers fields and orchards,
fishponds and flowers
with her velvet black blanket
and all disappears beneath it

as if on command
bats and owls swoop silent
jackals howl

stars and moon light our way home
here in the North
at the edge of the world
where time is eternal
and only the cycle of
daylight and darkness
reminds us
of youth's passing

© 6.2007 Helen Bar-Lev