the night watch

give me the dawn

“Care keeps his watch in every old man’s eye,
And where care lodges, sleep will never lie.”
―William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

let not the night fret over me—
my tears will run their course;
'tis but a mild catastrophe,
and not my lifelong source
of discontent. let watchful stars
be comforted with song:
i am a champion of wars
that make my spirit strong!

though blanket sleep from me has flown
and pillow dreams are dead,
i cherish secrets yet unknown,
that thrive outside my bed.
give me the dawn, that i may haste
beyond this fitful wake
to find the river, e'er its waste
be more than i can take.

let not the day be envious
of non-conflicting lights,
whose harmonies are synchronous
with all my appetites
to drink the river to the sea
to find my lover's breast,
ere night brings more calamity
to rob me of sweet rest.

© Copyright 2024 February 13
by Clyve A. Bowen♫