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.

[Mrudula Rani]

In the gray lights of night the old man finds comfort, and relives his youth!
You paint beautiful pictures with your words.
it was a pleasure reading your exceptionally crafted poem.

[Esther]

My pleasure

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

There’s beauty to be found everywhere no matter what - we cannot let our personal situations affect the way we see the beauty around us - we need to be aware of the beauty the joy the positive no matter what- sometime new and beautiful every day every second - wonderfully written 🌹

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[Gee]

I think those lines of yours must be the longest, rhyming ones that I have to date read.
Very well written Esther, will be me in the blink of an eye, such is the speed at which life passes us by

[Esther]

Thank you so much!

[Gee]

You're welcome
I see you say you are nobody, I disagree, you are a daughter and more to many others no doubt.
Is Briston Bristol ??

[Esther]

Oh, yes. You mentioned that in a poem, too. It was beautiful.

[Chris Shaw]

Very descriptive writing and I appreciated both the internal and end rhyme. Well written Esther. Nicely penned stanzas.

Chris

[Esther]

Thank you so much!

[Chris Shaw]

Read this for a second time. So much better on second reading. Haunting words and expressed so well.

Chris

[Esther]

Thanks a lot! So glad you remembered it!

[Kate]

This poem is beautifully laid out. Everything about it is amazing! Great work, I can't wait for more of your pieces!

[Esther]

Thank you so much, Kate!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are a wonderful storyteller. The journey of the all of us. Hopefully to the stars to light-up the night. Thank you Esther for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Esther.

[Onlyme]

Beautiful expressed. An exquisite read. Regards this old man. Deep and detailed.

[Esther]

Thank you!

[Perdition]

It is an ancient voice here that prompts me to want to memorize these lines and don the long black coat and walk the streets of night humbling these stanzas with a lantern swaying. I feel as if I have stepped back into a different time period when Coleridge and Wordsworth shared a love and I am richer for it. Thank you.

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[barleygirl]

Reading your amazing descriptions in first 2 stanzas, I'm reminded of an old man who stepped off a nearby cliff years ago, to his death (purposefully). I'm going to write that story someday & your poem gives me a jolt of inspiration. What makes your descriptions dynamic is the way you personify all the elements of the night, as they are interacting together & with the old man. This is top-notch writing in every sense of it. It's interesting how long your lines are, but they flow well with good rhyme & rhythm (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Esther]

Thank you. I had a similar thing in mind, too.