Welcome the night
And its good friend, the moon.
Do not take flight
From the man in the moon.
Let the moon take over
From the sun’s bright reign.
Let the sun take cover
Without severe pain.
A thick blanket will fall,
Giving the earth security.
Darkness will cover all
With its fine grace and purity.
For the sun, no need to pine.
Don’t waste precious time mourning.
The stars will twinkle and shine.
The sun will rise come morning.
Welcome the night
And its friend, the moon.
Don’t take flight
From the man in the moon.
Let the moon take over
From the sun’s bright reign.
Let the sun take cover
Without hesitation or pain.
A thick blanket will fall,
Covering the earth with security.
Darkness will cover all
With its grace and purity.
The stars will twinkle and shine.
For the sun, do not pine.
It will return tomorrow morning
With no need for any worrying.
I reach for it.
I clench my fist.
I can’t grasp it.
It flows through my fingers.
It can’t be stopped.
I drop my hand,
and bow my head to it.
After the rain,
the streets sparkle.
The sun shines.
Kids play ball.
Bicycles ride by.
Couples walk hand in hand.
The air sings with laughter,
drifting from diners at the sidewalk cafe.
A dog sleeps in the shadows.
A new day.
The waves propel me forward.
I’m here, my love.
I’ve come to bask
in your glow.
I’ll warm in the heat
of your fire.
Too hot.
I’m melting.
I’ve come too close.
View of Mt. Fuji from Mt. Tenjo on a cloudy winter morning
THE FIGHT
Night into day.
Day into night.
I’m swept away
As I hold tight.
The night numbs me,
Making me cold.
The days rush by
As I grow old.
I prefer day
When the sun shines.
The night is fey,
Dark through the pines.
Night into day.
Day into night.
Days become grey,
No strength to fight.
A NEW BEGINNING
The rain hits the puddles
in a staccato rhythm.
A mesmerizing sound.
Tree branches hang low,
weighed heavy with water.
Flowers lift shiny faces
for their morning washing.
The cold, crisp rain
refreshes and renews.
The clouds drip dry.
The sun returns
to brighten the day.
The air smells clean.
A new day dawns.
A new beginning.
Japanese Gardens – Portland, OR
The stream flows
across rocks,
reflecting the sun’s rays
along its smooth surface.
Follow the blue lights downstream.
Dip your toes into the cold splendor.
Life can be perfect.
The pink sand feels so soft.
Keeps my spirits aloft.
The water is clear and blue.
I want to enjoy that too.
As the sun brightens the day,
All I want to do is play.
The winds have taken their victims.
Tree limbs lie scattered across the grass.
A quiet descends upon the land.
Animals peek from
their hiding places.
Birds chirp in unison,
happy to be free again.
The sun will soon shine.
The clouds will clear.
The darkness will leave.
The earth regenerates itself,
preparing for the new day.
SUSANNE LEIST 