Laurelwood October 17, 2018

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the livelong night interrupted

The Autumn nights get longer every day now

As we put more blankets on our bed

Perhaps to fall asleep and stay asleep

Though we are prone to experience wakeful thoughts.

Remember staying up all night for the first time

That was a passage of youth done for fun

But being sleepless when you turn off the lights now

That is the unwelcome companion of the old.

When thinking keeps me awake, I surrender to the flow

Head upon the pillow, relaxed as best I can

Letting my memories take me where they will

Alone in the timeless darkness until morning.

On any given night I expect an intermittent sleep

Coming awake every two to three hours aware of myself

Walking to the bathroom to empty my bladder

Switching what side I lie on getting back in bed.

This is the time to let my brain rest and refresh

Clearing away any accumulated stress debris

Not so much required these days being retired

Living a life of leisure seeking simple pleasures.

On a night that begins with the usual routine

I drift off hearing the late evening freight train horn going past

Stirring awake hours later hearing another train hooting

Listening to the sound softly repeating through closed windows.

Then hearing a faint tremulous hoo-hooing in response

That startles me wide awake recognizing a screech owl vocalizing

Calling as if in response to the haunting train song

I rush to the back door to open and hear better what’s outside.

In the middle of the night the backyard hides shrouded

But I hear the screech owl call loudly and unmistakably close

Then again, more distant, quickly breaking off our encounter

Leaving me staring after an elusive invisible bird.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be among the night owls

Seeing in the dark and hearing whispers in the still of the night

A thought that keeps me awake awhile longer

Before the dream of morning gathers me in its arms.

Ringwood October 14, 2018

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Tallman NY Mycological October 13, 2018

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