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1871–1938

MOTHER NIGHT

James Weldon Johnson

Eternities before the first-born day, Or ere the first sun fledged his wings of flame, Calm Night, the everlasting and the same, A brooding mother over chaos lay.

And whirling suns shall blaze and then decay, Shall run their fiery courses and then claim The haven of the darkness whence they came; Back to Nirvanic peace shall grope their way.

So when my feeble sun of life burns out, And sounded is the hour for my long sleep, I shall, full weary of the feverish light, Welcome the darkness without fear or doubt,

And heavy-lidded, I shall softly creep Into the quiet bosom of the Night.

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MOTHER NIGHT · James Weldon Johnson · Poetry Cove