Night

Night, and I am frightened by laughter born
Of an unfriendly wind
That blows a house to smithereens
And mimics too closely
The cackling of a witch

Night, and I am enlightened by the thought
Of a beautiful thing
That flashes through my staccato dreams
Becoming one thing, then another
A blossom, a painting, a vase, a face

Night, and I am left breathless as everything
Unites in a whirlwind
Of light and sound and timelessness
That gathers me up, a child again
And gently rocks me to sleep