She closes her eyes.
She's seen it all
A hundred times before,
Though in the darkness
Of a late autumn evening
There is little to see
Anyway.

Head resting on a scarf,
She is a picture of
Peacefulness; the epitome
Of our self denied
Human need for
Hibernation.

She rests in acceptance
Of the long journey ahead,
While I embrace it,
Looking forward to the miles
Of real night I will cross.

In the city the light
Never really leaves.
We replace sunlight with
A crude imitation.
Without subtlety and
Without restraint it dwarfs
The moon and stars
As they struggle to
Light our path.

And while these thoughts
Keep my mind alert,
She sleeps, confounding
The rough roads to remain
Unwoken.

Houses, shops, bridges, cars...
In their phoney light
All remain unseen
By her shuttered eyes.

10/30/2006

Posted on 11/05/2006
Copyright © 2025 Richard Vince