-- The Darkest Night --

John Herlihy

The darkest night lords over the brightest day;

Ghouls and goblins will always have their say.

Dark night begins with an ardent impetuosity,

Soon to grow to pitch darkness with virtuosity.

Eyes never grow accustomed to infernal depths,

With sober grandeur akin to a thousand deaths.

The dark places of internment hold terror in awe,

Never before and never again to say what I saw.

No moon shone, nor stars lent any peacefulness,

No speck of light disturbed the deathlike stillness.

Gloomy towers stood on guard with eyeless sight,

To serve as asylum for the ancient birds of night.

‘Till first light mounts the horizon riding its sleigh,

To banish the darkest night from the realm of day.

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(c) John Herlihy 29 May 2019