Sable clad, the dread silent night arrived,

Quiet as the full sated homing herd;

Dusk crept in gloom cover and cast a pall

O’r muted chimes and dead footfall in couching

Heavens loomed in ebon splendor, couchingi

Above my gloomy bower; lonely and parching

I lay waiting, waiting for slumber’s balm-

On sagging springs – my wayward thoughts to calm.

Solo and in pairs, paced the squadrons combined,

Unruly hordes, soul’s dark companions, to bind

Fetters on dreams; and hooded.thoughts collage

My lone nights and enthrall my peace in cage.

Gentle Paraclete, whisper and dispel

My gloom as day brightens in morning’s spell.