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1850–1919

GOOD NIGHT

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The day is at its golden height, No shadow falls on sea or land; And yet to thee I say Good night, As we stand here hand clasped in hand,

Good night — Good night. The laughing waves are summer blue, The bees hum in the sun's warm light; But frosts of winter chill me through,

I shiver as I say Good night. Good night — Good night. How often at the close of day With smiling lips we've said those words:

And listened as we turned away To hear them echoed by the birds, Good night — Good night. We did not dream then of this hour,

This sad, sad hour for you and me; We did not dream there was a power Could force us for eternity To say Good night.

Good night — nay, turn your eyes away; I cannot bear their tender light. Now evermore to golden day, To golden hope, a last Good night,

Good night — Good night.

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GOOD NIGHT · Ella Wheeler Wilcox · Poetry Cove