Poems (Jackson)/"Down to Sleep"
ovember days are clear and bright;Each noon burns up the morning's chill;The morning's snow is gone by night;Each day my steps grow slow, grow light,As through the woods I reverent creep,Watching all things lie "down to sleep."
"DOWN TO SLEEP."
ovember days are clear and bright;Each noon burns up the morning's chill;The morning's snow is gone by night;Each day my steps grow slow, grow light,As through the woods I reverent creep,Watching all things lie "down to sleep."I never knew before what beds,Fragrant to smell, and soft to touch,The forest sifts and shapes and spreads;I never knew before how muchOf human sound there is in suchLow tones as through the forest sweepWhen all wild things lie "down to sleep."
Each day I find new coverlidsTucked in, and more sweet eyes shut tight;Sometimes the viewless mother bidsHer ferns kneel down, full in my sight;I hear their chorus of "good-night;"And half I smile, and half I weep,Listening while they lie "down to sleep."
November woods are bare and still;November days are bright and good;Life's noon burns up life's morning chill;Life's night rests feet which long have stood;Some warm soft bed, in field or wood,The mother will not fail to keep,Where we can "lay us down to sleep."