If I could capture any night
It would be this
We stepped out
Into black
Without a star
Or moon to light our way
But just our little flash
To make the path
While just behind
A gaping darkness
Swallowed up the glow
And tread as close as shadow
At our heels
As faithful friend and I
Made our trek into the cavernous eve
The only sound
A spirit wind in ruffling leaves
And syncopated beat upon the ground
Of acorns raining down
To strike an emptiness at our feet
And I thought about the little chick
And how perhaps a hat would be
A wise accessory
But we continued on
Beneath the falling skies
As ebony drew us in with velvet cloak
Around our forms
And led us further down the quiet
Country road where no-one else
Had ventured out
And we reveled in the dark
And solitary world
As though the night was just for us
And when at last we turned
We caught the moonrise
Brimming up behind
The mountain line
And stood enrapt
To watch his full ascent
Brush trees and clouds
Apart to clear the climb
Up to his throne
Though peasants that we were
The dog and I felt sanctified
Bathed in moonlight
Held by dark
And entertained with acorn drum
We whispered thanks unto the night
And slowly ambled home




Sara Mathews     December 2015