NIGHT CHILD

                      listen to them…the children of the night…

                      such sweet music they make

                      - Bram Stoker, Dracula

            Why is it I wrap myself in the flag of night so eagerly?

            Fancy the caress of its fabric on my skin?

            Could it be that as a child, it was denied me?

            While other children played on its mysterious avenues

            I, tucked safely into impatience

            For liberation, counting years instead of sheep

            And now, at the halfway mark to immortality

            I don my speckled armor:

            Orion’s winter steel, Scorpius’ summer sting

            All seven sisters of the Pleiades

            Unabashedly claimed as my brides

            But there are no monsters to run and hide from

            Only Time, cruel master

            Frightening me more than any vampire

            For it takes all, gives no condolence

            Amidst the duty maze of sunlit hours

           
            Is it any wonder I yearn for the playground

            Denied me as a child?

            While those grown up children

            Who once chased fireflies in my absence

            Hurry little ones off to sandman

            So mom and dad can play

            And then falling asleep, ponder

            How it is not daytime, but night

            That gives true meaning to our lives                

                © 1992  Chris Sorrenti