Nightime settles cozily
Across the land
With only a sliver
Of moon amongst the stars
To light the ebony sky,
And a million fireflies
To light the earth.
A warm wind
Gently stirs the branches
Of the elegant willow
And carries the sounds
Of the nocturnal denizens
To my eager ears:
Hundreds of frogs
Croak and trill
In as many voices,
Looking for mates
Along the creek bed;
A screech owl screeches
From a tree atop the hillock
Before diving silently
For the kill;
In the distance
The yip-yip-yipping of the coyotes
Is answered
By the neighborhood hounds.
The scents of honeysuckle
And freshly mown grass
Perfume the air,
Mingling with the clean smell
Of fresh dew.
As I sit in my nightgown,
Rocking slowly in my porch swing,
The warm wind on my face
And in my hair,
Experiencing the awakening of the night,
I take it all in
With a deep breath,
A peaceful smile
And a contented heart.