My Heart, My Sanctuary

The Still Night

He will not know that the final grip

Of tears fell tonight with the showers,

Nor will he see me as I slip

Into my bed's warm, soft covers.

But fading my anteroom's light

He found I am no longer there.

And following my shadow's plight,

He knows Sleep will now give his care.

Let him stand in the earthly gloom--

The dark, which is my only peace.

Let him dare give the still night's doom

And know he will forever miss.

Let him be what he has always been

What was never here, was never seen.

He will only kill his breath in vain

For it will not cause me death again.

As the still night drowns his outcry

It too shan't pierce my hardened heart,

Nor will it melt a single part

Upon his most pitiful sigh.

Let him stand out there forever,

I shall not give him my shelter.

As the biting cold of this night

Shall soon veer him and see to his flight.

The still night is beckoning me--

Gladly will I follow its tread

To break loose from the memory

And ease me from this throbbing head.

I shall have the still night's peace to keep

And towards repose we shall both ride.

Ah, proud man, enough of this foolish pride--

Go away, I am now one with Sleep!