Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A PRELUDE OF NIGHT, by JOHN BANISTER TABB Poet's Biography First Line: Over the waters far there came Last Line: "to her dark-sheltered breast." Alternate Author Name(s): Father Tabb Subject(s): Night; Bedtime | ||||||||
Over the waters far there came, At the birth of the evening star, a voice Like music low; Unto the heart alone it spake, With the stress of the ocean tone. "Mine is the reign of peace," it said; "Day's restless throbbings cease in me; The fevered glow Of her o'erwearied feet subsides Beneath my kisses sweet. "My starry arch doth link this calm Of twilight to the brink of her Pale sister-hour, While trembling shadows weave in one All stranger souls that grieve. "Light is the keen-edged blade that cleaves The spirits kindred made in dreams; My gentle power Breathes into souls apart a sigh From the day's breaking heart. "Noon hath no gift of tears; her eye Burns with a glance that sears the wings Of tender thought; And from its lidless fire, aghast, All fairy throngs retire. "Night is the elder child of God; His brooding spirit mild, as ere The light was wrought, Still for its wonted rest returns To her dark-sheltered breast." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BREATH OF NIGHT by RANDALL JARRELL HOODED NIGHT by ROBINSON JEFFERS NIGHT WITHOUT SLEEP by ROBINSON JEFFERS WORKING OUTSIDE AT NIGHT by DENIS JOHNSON POEM TO TAKE BACK THE NIGHT by JUNE JORDAN COOL DARK ODE by DONALD JUSTICE POEM TO BE READ AT 3 A.M by DONALD JUSTICE ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT by BOB KAUFMAN ANONYMOUS by JOHN BANISTER TABB |
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