The Old Man and the Night

There they smile - the sighs of bygone days from the distant skies,

Wandering far beyond the clouds, racing towards  sunrise,

Igniting the sleeping world in scattered fragments of starlit dreams.

Lulled to rest, he sighs on his lonely bed, squinting into the moonbeams.

Images rise, in the ever-young mind, of a youth, long gone by,

Green-decked days over the crashing sprays dawn upon his waking eyes.

Whimpering waves ripple through the frolicsome night breeze,

As, with bated  breath, he gazes, once more, into the dark abyss.

Far below, the moaning waves break into long-forgotten songs,

And the silence echoes with the stifled sobs of murdered bygones.

The young morning bares her fangs, she rips the skies apart,

As a darkening dawn closes in on the wingless bird.

He sees the exiled night shed off his twilight-tainted crown - 

The battlefield resonates with the curses of the drowned.

He gazes on the sun-washed countryside, bathed today in gore,

And, in faltering steps, creeps back to his hole, and, in silence, bolts the door.

The fire's died out, the embers linger in the abandoned fireplace,

But, the withered light grows supple again, with youthful lissomeness.

Roses bloom today, in secret splendour, in the shadows of the wild,

The deserted playroom smiles, once more, in the glee of a child.

He walks, grey-haired, yet dreamy-eyed in the stardust-magic of twilight,

Through the fading day, that gathers grey, slipping off into the deepening night.

In his ambrosia-scented slumber, far from a world in war,

The departed smiles from his cradle - a new-born amidst the stars. 

Reviews

[Najam Us Saher]

The scenery you have created and the words you chose are splendid. Every stanza describes the environment and feelings of the old man very well.
I am struggling for words to appreciate the beauty of your words and the depth they have.
It was a pleasure reading this.

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[Najam Us Saher]

It was a pleasure reading this.

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

this has a lot of vivid imagery in it, I did find this very interesting, so very well said....

[Esther]

Thank you!

[Robert Trakofler]

Hello Esther:) this most certainly fits the bill for finding beauty. this has an epic ring to it and written in a very interesting voice with vivid imagery. this one requires more than a few reads to absorb

[Esther]

Thank you!

[Robert Trakofler]

The essence of beauty in its appreciation becomes so much more vivid when contrasted by the wretched I suppose it may be the only good thing the wretched does for us it paints the good things a brilliance and gives us a sense of the inevitable dawn in the stirrings of the dusks. your imagery in this walk of the old mans mind in this write is the definition of beauty from ugly

[gram linski]

Wow, this is full of imagery and poetry and... and I am speechless, wow, one of the best poems I have read on this forum, thanks for sharing, the old man and the night reminds me of me,

[Esther]

I'm so glad it touched you.

[Kent Rawski]

wow a lot to this, the night the old man and the sea the days, the meaning of this old mans life is not lost it Is put on display with words that wax far and long, there are quite a few lines I love in this in fact very few I don't the beauty of this is in the telling really good work

[Esther]

Thank you for an honest review!

[emmajoy]

Such beautiful words hiding so many emotions, sights and fears. Seems the adult life of a true and proud man, a soldier who'd seen death and yet somehow survived. Tragically, painfully, he finds himself again, regurgitation the darkness, wishing and praying for the sweetness he'd once had. . and, perhaps, in that moment, as death stands close, he feels what and who he was.. once upon a time...before returning again to the stars. Read three times, felt each phrase, understood as best i could. Such a special post.. and more.

[Esther]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this!

[Edie Blue Starfish]

Esther, this is a brilliant piece of writing. I enjoyed so much being pulled into.
Your word choices are so good in developing the scene and creating the imagery.
Moving piece.

[Esther]

Thank you so much!

[Steve B]

A beautiful and moving poem ,this is my take on it. The opening line is striking in its description of
starlight, then as the old man awakens for the last time and watches the battle between night and day.
His end is near, the wingless bird his spirit looks on this world one last time then departs to the stars
I like how it begins and ends with the stars. As I stated this is just my take on a poem that will be observed
through other eyes even the author in a different way, and therein lies its beauty Steve B.

[Esther]

Thank you so much!I've been unable to write in the recent past due to exams and all. I tend to leave my poems with loose ends, so that the reader may interpret them as it suits him/her. Your interpretations are very similar to mine.

[Effie]

Like everyone that has read this I too appreciate the imagery of your words. The memories, the depth of emotions from which this was penned is obvious. Though very specific and personal to you, effective writing leaves open to the reader options to personalize according to their individual emotional response and experiences in life.
I found myself absorbing your words, seeing yours from the inside out and at the same time drift within myself heeding the whispers of how your words spoke to me.
Your writing style is captivating and challenges me to see life through the eyes of someone much more skilled than most with a talent for the expressive word.

Well done and thank you. Effie

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[Wesley Dingler]

"a new-born amidst the stars"
This is one of the best poems I've read on here in a long time.
The stanzas were fully and evocative, the way i like them.

Thank you for letting us read it.

[Esther]

Thank you!

[Jade]

So very good and kinda captivating as well. Written so well and expressed

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[Jade]

not a problem