Once More Good Night Poem by Tom Courtney

Say once again a good-night to the night
Day passes evening will take me in flight
See ever-lengthening shadows emerge
surround and encompass: night’s on the verge

Soften and dampen the spikes of the day
countless encounters – confusion, dismay
Say just once more I’ll sleep this one through
I’ll awaken from blackness into the blue

Say that I’ll leave all the heavy stones set
Say I’ll fly by them. Have no regret
Sleep ever comes and melts all my sorrow
Bright skies and new tries arise on the morrow

Just as the tide washes that which we cherish
the unwanted demons and ghosts also perish
What portion of strife I have buried today
will fast slip from memory in the new day

And much that has brought me to think that I grieve
lies deep in some fabric, the warp and the weave
But stepping alone into time’s silken fold
must bring in the new and cast out the old

And all that I need is one deep still night
to hasten my courage and banish the fright
So on to the new day with stars in my eyes
and faith in my breast that the spirit still flies

The crest of the sun will crack a new dawn
The dew will hang on a shimmering lawn
The day holds a promise within its sunbeam
My bed a soft cloud and my pillow a dream