JessicaIngram

December4,2015

ThirteenWaysofLookingatNight

I
Duringthedarkesthours
ofthenight,theinfantcries
formilk.

II
Refusingtosleepinthedark,thechild
cowersintheglowofhis
nightlight.

III
Theteenagerslidesopenthewindow
ignoringhercurfew.

IV
Nightisthetimeforpartiesandfun.
Studentsneglecting
homeworkandexams
forafewhoursoffriends.

V
Othersspendtheirnightsinthelibrary
readingarticlesandwriting
papers,tryingtomakethegrade.

VI
Withmidlifeapproaching,night
isperfectforsleeping.Reenergizingforthelong
dayofmeetingstofollow.

VII
Peacefulsleepinterrupted
bythelongingofanewborn
formilkandalullaby

VIII
Amomandchild
prayforprotectionfromthedarkness.
Adadandchildinvestigate
suspicioushidingplaces
wheremonsterscouldbelurking.

IX
Parentslieinbedwatching
astheclocktickscloser
andclosertocurfew.

X
Fromhundredsofmileaway
concernedparentsprepareforbed
uncertainoftheirstudent.Flown
fromthenest,theirchildrenareno
longerundertheirwatchfuleye.

XI
Thedarknessofmidnightprovides
coverforthosewishingtodoharm.

XII
Intheblackblanketofeveningthosewhopromisedto
protectandserve
guardthetownsfamilies.

XIII
Thesunrisesintheeastand
themoonfleeswestward
waitingtowatchover
anothernight.