Peaceful Night

And the snow retreats
For another day
Sullen beneath Orion’s gaze

I’m about again
Checking windows and doors

As the sleepless wind growls
An outlander on the prowl

And I am careless
A shipshod watchman
Imperfect at keeping back fright

But I check the cameras
And set detectors
Argus on the night

I go outside to watch the stars
And see bright clouds
Above the trees

In Van Gogh one often sees
The same scene—
A night without blackness,
A quiet street.

There is no threat,
The night is silent
Except for far-off sounds

A train’s whistle in the distance,
A lonely coyote’s call

All the world is at peace,
No dark intruders about

The village quiet as an interlude
And above dark lakes
Pass over the house.