Her clammy, cold fingers
Climb your spinal ladder
Her breath is the breeze
Lifting hairs on your neck
And how she does cover
To blind you complete

She swallows you up
Along with your fear,
But still you may hear
Her startling wail
As the high, shrill voice
Of the whip-poor-will

She says, "Give in, child
Be one with Me!
Know My darkness!
And be oh, so free!
Wait but a moment
And you shall see"

So you do as She says,
Though not yet beguiled
To test Her here,
And truth She speaks!
For your eyes are opened,
And Oh! what you see!

Black trees steadfast stand,
To guard a realm grand
Bright, twinkling stars
Open as a new bloom
To pay beautiful homage
To Her highness, the moon

The moon it does warm,
And so please your eye
In a glowing embrace
It cloaks you secure,
And you tremble no more
Free now to voyeur

This once clammy foe
Gives oh such a show!
As shimmery leaves reflect
Gray clouds come nigh
To the moon princess
To genuflect, to pay respect

You cry out "OH! OH!"
The night is Queen!
Long live the night!"
The clouds drift forward,
Ghost to veil and crown her,
Luminous lunar royalty!

Only her glow remains
Depart the wispy, airy ghost
Her countenance revealed
With a knowing smile
"Silly mortal, I am here!
I shall never disappear!"

The night whirls round,
Pulls you forward, up
Your self-imposed prison
Left behind, and so you join,
You drink from Her cup
Now one with the night!

Soar and dive with owls,
As they seek their meal
Fly o'er iridescent water,
Oh, amphibian virtuosos!
Fly higher now, higher still
To trip the night fantastic

Dazzling ones twinkle, twirl
Feathery, wisps of clouds
Join together, a pause so elegant
A splendid waltz! "Join in!"
Commands Queen and Princess
They laugh at your delight

In nocturnal bliss so fair,
How your spirit does soar
But now a dirge is played
And timid canines do wail
Atop yon silhouetted hill
You shudder back a chill

"What does it mean?"
You ask your hosts.
"It signals the end,
It signals the close.
Weep not my friend,
We merely repose!"

I knew it was true
I knew it correct
The sun would rise soon
But tis no regret
Time does fly on
And so it would be!

Her highness dipped low
Quite over that hill,
And blackness ensued
Then light, growing stronger,
Gaining strength gradual,
Illuminated the green

Good day to you,
Princess and Queen!
Dream, sleep well I pray!
Now is the time here
To welcome another in
Her Majesty, The Day!

Kelly