For the past few months I’ve been working on a longer poem called “Where the Sidewalk Begins”. With all due respect to Shel Silverstein, I always wondered if maybe he was looking at things wrong in his iconic poem. As I’ve gotten older and fought life’s battles as valiantly as I could manage, I’ve become more and more certain it is so. Because the sidewalk may be orderly and straight, but it’s easier to avoid deception and pitfalls when you walk on it. And after fighting most of your life, maybe all you want is a little peace…

Anyway, I digress. I finished the poem today. You can’t read it here (sorry), but it will be in my next poetry collection, aptly titled Where the Sidewalk Begins. I haven’t decided if that one will be part of my Poetry Diaries series or not. It’s mostly love poems, so I may just market it that way. I’m hoping to have it out by June 30, which would have been my parent’s 60th wedding anniversary. Still is, I suppose.

On to today’s poem! I got caught up in the whole “night” concept from yesterday so I wrote this one. Hope you enjoy.

Night Comfort
By Michelle Garren-Flye

I’ll be the Night
draining the garish color of the day,
leaving shadows
to cushion you.
Let me surround you—
watch the red fade from the rose
and forget lost love
and hate.
Emerald greed is lost on me
and golden shame of cowardice
means nothing.
I will silence it all,
the blame and guilt
and distractions
from dreams.
Just lay your head on me.
Let me fill you with wonder
at my silvery beauty.
Let Night be your comfort.