Night​

Night was first published in Indian Review, a prestigious literary magazine. Here’s the link:
https://indianreview.in/poetry/night-rrashima-swaarup-verma/

I cannot sleep for it is night,
It is as dark as dark can be
If I could have the smallest light,
My mother’s face then I could see

Her gentle hand that strokes my head,
The lullaby she hums
I lie and listen on my bed,
But sleep just never comes

Oh, how I hate the silence that,
Just echoes through and echoes back
Oh, how I fear the screeching bat,
That rushes past on wings of black

Why oh why, does night conceal?
The sunny sights of day
I do not speak of fears I feel,
But I wish them away

Among the shadows of the night,
A thousand thoughts run through my mind
Somehow, I cannot sleep tonight,
I search for things I cannot find

My mother smiles and says to me,
Why do you wake oh little one?
What is it that you wait to see?
Is it the morning sun?

But now the sun has gone to sleep,
And in the morning it will shine
So hold my hand and take a peep,
Oh, little child of mine!

Now see the moon up in the sky,
Our garden path is full of light
And see the pretty moths that fly,
In colors brilliant bright!

The stars that twinkle up above,
Are smiling down at you
Ah, see the fairies that you love,
And all the things they do

It is a lovely night indeed,
As calm as it may seem
And the quiet that you need,
To dream a joyful dream

The night is black oh, yes it is!
Just like a pretty damsel’s hair
And what feels like an angel’s kiss?
Is the caress of the midnight air

And so I sleep with none to fear,
And all my dreams are blessed
Now that the lovely night is here,
Till morning I can rest