After Dark

A panic would settle all over her face

Each night as she pulled the blinds,

‘The world outside is a scarier place

Whenever the day unwinds.

I’ve seen the changes that darkness brings

When the lights in the street go out,

There are screams and cries, and animal things,

Can you say what it’s all about?’

 

I said I couldn’t, it wasn’t the same

For me as it was for her,

‘The night is merely a lack of light

But nothing has changed out there.

The lamposts stand, they may not be lit

But they’re still upright in the dark,

And as for sounds, and animal things

These are merely dogs in the park.’

 

‘Dogs don’t howl, or bay at the moon,

They don’t have a Lion’s roar,

And what sits tearing, out in the gloom

Just out from our own front door?

A line of vultures sit on our fence,

Flapping their wings for prey,

While howls and grunts are making me tense

The moment the day’s away.’

 

‘I’ll take you out and I’ll prove you’re wrong,

There’s nothing to fear outside,

It may be dark but the world goes on

There’s just a turn in the tide.’

‘I wouldn’t dare, there’s a sickly moon

That beams on down from a height,

It has a sheen, and the sheen is green

Whenever I put out the light.’

 

‘And who is the man at night who roams

Out there on the cobblestones,

You said it’s the window cleaner man

But the window cleaner’s Jones.

And Jones is tucked in his tiny bed

By the time the clock strikes nine,

I know it’s true, for his wife has said,

And his wife’s a friend of mine.’

 

‘It’s only some ragged, passing tramp

Or a gypsy, out for the air,

They park their vans on the common land

Where the village holds its fair.’

‘He jingles coins as he walks on by,

And hums, but it’s out of tune,

You’d see, if ever you part the blinds

Him walking under the moon.’

 

I’d had enough, and opened the door,

And took her out to the porch,

I felt so confident I was right

I didn’t carry a torch.

We walked a way out into the street

She shivered and gripped my arm,

I waved my hand in a calming sweep,

‘You see? No cause for alarm.’

 

The air was suddenly filled with bats,

And some were caught in her hair,

While round our feet, a scurry of rats

Brought screams to the street out there.

The vultures sat there flapping their wings,

And launched themselves from our fence,

A man was jingling coins, walked past

Then I knew why my wife was tense.

 

I dragged her back through the open door,

All bleeding and cut and hurt,

Pulled the bats from her tangled hair

And the ones attached to her skirt,

We never venture outside at night

Not after we pull the blinds,

But leave the world of the after dark

To the man who jingles the coins.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[ANTO]

Strokes of genius here David. The tension in the lady was just enough to offset his rationale-based confidence - that fine balance that makes the reader have half their hackles up when the door is opened but still surprised when all hell breaks loose and tries to take her with it.
The image of the man with the jiggling coins (to put over her eyes perhaps - the undertakers helpers/suppliers) - will stay with me for a brave while.

[Marie]

Beward of men jingling coins...
Beward of a green moon...
Most of all, beware of a husband who goes outside at night without a flashlight...

[Valentine]

Really like this one, seems like she was much more observant with her ears than he was with his eyes. My younger sister lives next door in my grandparents old farm hose. She keeps saying their are bats in the attic, only others have seen them. She is single, a man walk by jingling coins, she might invite him in for a coffee and a chat. Valentine

[Barbz]

I consider this a Classic Poem. It could have been written by a widely known and esteemed poet, a class to which you will eventually be considered. It is vivid in imagination, bold in its roar, laced with sensivity and suspense. I think I might be defensive should anyone jiggling his coins cross my path.......I think this is an exceptional write......Could we possibly as for more..........Barbz

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Interesting story . . . had me on the edge of my seat.

[Vishuddha]

Some people just attract things. Fear, for instance, attracts what is feared, giving power to the enemy. Predators know it. Prey either haven't figured it out or just can't help it.

[B]

Often We think all is safe and sound
We wake up to a rude awakening
Yet again
We should still go out after dark
To prove that no man live in Fear

Great work David

[Willard Wells]

Very nice work. Not the first man to make a promise to his love and fail. I am waiting for more about the man with the jingling coins. Very nice imagery. Thanks for sharing.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes indeed! leave to the man who jingles his coins ... another wonderful read .. imaginative story telling once again .. enjoyed it
E.