Night

DEEP in the starry silence of the night
Breathes low the mystery of Life and Death,
While o’er the darkened waters wandereth
A voiceless spirit, veiled from mortal sight.
Upheld, enfolded in the encircling height
Of heaven, the hushed Earth softly draws her breath,
And in the holy stillness listeneth
To sweeping wings of far-off worlds in flight.
Beauty ascends in elemental prayer:
Lifted in worship, lost in wonderment,
I join in Nature’s night antiphony
That vibrates in the calm and sentient air;
And through the veil of darkness am content
To touch the garment of Eternity.

Katharine Coolidge.