Poem For Sunday

"Balm," by Virginia Woodward Cloud first appeared in 1902:

After the heat the dew,
    and the tender touch of twilight;
The unfolding of the few
    Calm stars.
After the heat the dew.

After the Sun the shade,
    and beatitude of shadow;
Dim aisles for memory made,
    And thought.
After the Sun the shade.

After all there is balm;
    from the wings of dark there is wafture
Of sleep, -- night’s infinite psalm, --
    And dreams.
After all there is balm.