(Inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Café at Night”) and winning entry in a Freedom of Speech challenge.

            The sky blossoms –
a daisy chain of stars
in velvet field of promised peace.
   Blue night pours out its blessings, ecstatic.

             From cold shadow
into warm comfort of
a clean, well-lighted place, I pass.
   Yellow hope grows, the Son within my heart.

            Couples court –
quiet conversations
fill the night with air of romance.
   Olive shades quickly fade to welcome gray.

             Alone in thought,
a moment’s contentment
covers me unexpectedly.
    Cream-colored table tops like pools of calm.

            Alive with joy – 
brisk walk through tender night.
Burgeoning imagination...
   Orange strokes of passion stir lonely soul.

            Morning will come
like speckled cobblestone.
Vibrant hues will pale, spirits fall.
   Brick recedes to blue-black infinity.

            Lives yet deep hope –
reborn in safe, still night:
heaven’s joyous revelation.
   White sparkling constellations shower love.