music of the night

what i hear when the lights are off

 

i am an old woman

lying alone in my bed

in the eerie half-light

of ready lights

on all the electronics

scattered about the room.

i shove a pillow against

the glare of the digital clock.

 

i am an old woman

listening to the night,

as countless old women have done

across immeasurable time,

wondering when the night will come

that never ends.  you think i care?

i don’t care.

the night is peaceful.

in eager anticipation

of the approaching rainy season,

a few frogs croak cheerfully.

although there is the occasional soft hoot of an owl,

the birds are always silent at night.

now and then

the dead leaves blanketing the terrace

betray stealthy steps

of a creature on the hunt.

frantic rustling in the undergrowth

of the wild green belt down the hill

tells the tale of prey,

sometimes punctuated

with a strangled cry

or a defiant snarl.

coyotes howl from distant rocky points

on lonelier hills,

a nervous rooster crows,

a dog or two yip at the moon.

it is the music of the night.

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

"i am an old woman

listening to the night,

as countless old women have done

across immeasurable time,

wondering when the night will come

that never ends. "

I feel the sense of loneliness and resignation of fate in this wonderful poem. A very touching one...Pen on...:)

[annie lee]

thank you, Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)

[Sami Khalil]

^^~^^ :)...........

[Strider Marcus Jones]

An excellent poem, rich with life's meanings. 100/100

[annie lee]

Thank you.

[J. J. Nightingale]

The tones of life .. playing out their night

You had me from the start .. when you wrote "I am an old woman" ..

I hear cats jumping from the trees, onto my roof.. then running, sounds like a drum being played.

I hear silence .. and the voices of ghost, not haunting .. just saying hello .

I like your words .......... Jazz

[annie lee]

Thank you so much.

[J. J. Nightingale]

You are welcome Annie ..:)

[Lydia Shutter]

The night does speak a language all its own. Wonderful imagery throughout this one. I liked the repetition of "I am an old woman".

[annie lee]

Thank you. I am resenting the label of old less and less -- it's kind of like a nice warm blanket.

[Lydia Shutter]

I agree...and it is even better when I am offered a senior citizen discount! :)

[Pryde Foltz]

Secrets of a garden at night. Splendid piece. And by old I assume you mean wise. They get confused sometimes.

[annie lee]

Thank you, Pryde. Did you get my tweet? I am a novice tweeter who might be just a twit -- but that was how I choose to notify you about wanting to see the last part of the book. cheers.

[Pryde Foltz]

Sorry, Annie but I did not get the tweet. Could you send it again?