A quiet place nestled upon a hill,
A garden, chairs, moods soft and still,
Sat musing, lost, yet somewhat aware,
Of a stray, nagging care.
I sensed the first faint footfall sound,
I closed my eyes and from around,
Mirth, naughty, chuckled through the trees,
Light footed rain danced on the eaves.
O'er hilltops delicate graceful weave,
The clouds in ritual begin to cleave,
To trim her star studded gown
And daintly clothe a sleepy town.
Walk soft - Night now claims her way,
Her dark ushers the day away,
Muted light silhouettes the stately trees,
I heard her song upon the breeze.
Quilted shadows, sleepy flowers turn,
Dreamy eyes with strange passion burn,
A sudden fragrance lent it voice
I watched them with their Night rejoice.
I held her words before they fled,
In gentle tones to me she said
"Others, today, in festive mood
Celebrate- Why alone do you brood? "
"Let's walk together my secret way
'Cross hill and vale where done dare stray"
She beckoned - I yet held my place
Distrusting of her smiling face.
"Behind me, look, do you hear
The sounds of joy and of cheer"
I said, watching from afar,
Gaiety hostage to that hour.
Through frosted panes the candles glowed
And talk and laughter freely flowed
Then her mist reached out to me
Blurred my eyes I could not see.
Drifting, gliding o'er time and space
No longer rooted to one place
"Pain, Sorrow, revelers of the Day"
She said "Here they dare not stay"
She said " 'Tis time for us to walk
Across to see and hear their talk
I've given you vision to see and know
The passing comfort of the candle's glow".
Within me a sudden joy was born
Of knowledge that what Day had torn
Night's touch would mend and make it whole
Cloister a lost, troubled soul.
"They seek the false pallid light
And try and keep out the Night
With fading lives and laughter short
They live afraid, Fear is their lot".
We strolled together, I and Night
To that door, well out of sight
A table clad in rust and red
She chose - the candle wounded bled.
One, protective, with his hand
Shaped a vain, trembling band
Around the flame - Night looked and smiled
I watched, unseen, as he tried.
To keep the gust from wounded flame
Night went on with her game
Her companion breeze raised the stake
To help her the fragile band to break.
To shock his hand to chilled retreat
Abandon candle and his seat
The dead candle lay where once it glowed
Talk and laughter no longer flowed.
Night said "They are creatures of the Day
Unworthy with dark Night to play
They shun my caress, they fear my hold
Dulled senses and with spirits cold."
"I've shown you what there is to know
Some lives, brief, like candles glow
I've chosen you to walk with me
Awakened senses and with spirit free."
A parting smile, she turns to go
Shimmering, fades in a rustling flow
I watch a new dawn break the sky
And brush the dew drop from my eye.
When, now, my weary days are long,
I draw a chair, await her song,
The garden's quiet, moods soft and light
As we embrace, I and my Night.
written at sunset at hill station Ooty