Nighttime Falls
© Anne Hills

Nighttime falls on everyone
crows race toward the setting sun
couriers of evening, black against the fading blue
the sky grows dark, the stars grow brighter
the west turns gold, the moon glows whiter
we hurry past the windows’ light, as the shops fade, too

Nighttime falls on every place
the darkness brings a simple grace
as heaven drops its curtain, quieting the noise of day
on wilderness or cities teeming
on lighthouse with its lamp now beaming
and final trains call “all aboard” to be on their way

everyone fed, everyone free
everyone safe, everyone loved, as we are meant to be
everything blessed, a part of it all
everything sacred wherever nighttime falls

Nighttime falls on everything
the blade of grass, the sparrow’s wing
the mystery of sleep unravels and our dreams begin
and through the dark, wind, rain and thunder
we travel on this world of wonder
that carries us around the sun to come back again

everyone fed, everyone free
everyone safe, everyone loved, as we are meant to be
everything blessed,  a part of it all
everything sacred wherever nighttime falls