I have forgotten midnight

I have forgotten midnight

Other than in shadow

When a misty light splutters

From the humidifier in the corner

The air as dry as sticks,

Crackling with the energy

Of an electric storm

Gathering beyond the horizon

Woe betide the old ships

Before turbines

Turned the screw,

When wild winds powered wooden boats

Hard against cruel rocks

With jagged teeth

Waiting just below the salt-stacked swell

Coldly unrelenting,

In total disregard of any consequence.

I remember nights like these

From a distant time

When street lights crackled

Yellow and blue,

Haloed against the matt black night

As deep as any ocean,

The click-clack of hurrying heels

The need to find shelter

Peace of mind,

Every woman’s nightmare

To be followed by a stranger

Even one bent on finding

Their own way home,

Fumbling for a key

The soft sigh as the door closes

One last look

How many times

Is too many

When it can take but once.

Nothing about darkness

Is appealing

Other than the twinkle of lights

The blaze of stars when the cloud clears

The baleful glare

Of a vacant moon

Never more than blissfully unaware,

Even as it turns its back

On the world

The power of its attraction

Never seems to wane.

Even as I am brought back to myself

In the quiet of an empty room

Waiting for sleep

As midnight fades,

For lack of an enthusiastic response.