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1882–1950

THE SHADOW

James Stephens

Silence comes upon the night, Gone is all the cheerful day, The moon has disappeared from sight, Every star has gone away.

Sinking through the void, and thence Disappearing, star and sky, In the stern and black immense That has blinded every eye.

Silence crouches on the land, In the street a shadow lies Cloaked in velvet wrappings, and With a mask upon her eyes.

Anonymous and terrible Mother of the primal ray, Only night because thou art In thyself excess of day.

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THE SHADOW · James Stephens · Poetry Cove