The Heartbeat of the Night
Sun relinquishes day
as if in the grace of acceptance,
and fading embers glow like fireflies
replaced in slow transition
to a swirling mass of glittering diamonds,
each a reminder of our infinite gaze
into the heavens.
As warmth dissipates to a spry chill,
darting across the shadows
to touch with deft hands, life’s awareness,
shudders can be heard,
as life retreats into warmer sanctums,
where light holds day to ransom,
to fight the growing darkness.
Then shadows fall
to black coveted streets,
as lights carve spheres from darkness
and people find solace in the anonymity of night,
revel in the carefree neon lights,
as crowds form, streams of life
to meet in gay abandon.
As laughter haunts once empty streets,
music behind closed doors perfumes the night,
with booze and sweat and cigarettes,
and stumbling empty vessels,
out of fuel and light,
try to find a home,
on the other side of night.
Transformation,
from blurry eyed labor
to bright eyed night pretenders,
the exhilaration of the hunt, the brain-numbing
reckless affronts of the game,
forgotten days, and morning headache refrains,
when once again, day beckons responsibility.
That heartbeat pounds till dawn,
and yawning patrons wander zombie like
into the fragile beginnings of day,
tainted streets and wordless groans of regret,
when light too harsh does set a sterile tone,
and thoughts of work bemoan
a stark reality.
Tony DeLorger © 2017
- Brutal Night - March 30, 2021
- Like a Breeze Recalls - March 27, 2021
- Torrents - September 5, 2020
Such are the consequences of the wild night life, which you so vividly portrayed in this piece, Tony. Great work.
Glad you enjoyed it Phyllis, my wild life is well and truly over. Lol
Loved this Tony. Thanks for bringing me down memory lane walking out into the sunrise glinting off the skyscrapers of NYC.
Glad you related and enjoyed Rasma. have a great day!