Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MOTHER NIGHT by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: ETERNITIES BEFORE THE FIRST-BORN DAY
Last Line: INTO THE QUIET BOSOM OF THE NIGHT.
Subject(s): DEATH; KELLER, HELEN (1880-1968); REST; DEAD, THE;
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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