The Wind Came At Night

In the days of chilling blaze

Springtime sun as winter fades

Dazzling spears and green grass blades

The gale the only blight.

Driving out to picnics gay

February turning into May

Hearts and smiles throughout the day

But the wind came at night

Batten hatch and throw the catch

Draw the curtains and the latch

Find the candle; light a match

Glow ghostly and white.

Lights to ward off what’s outside

Whatever feral monsters ride

Abroad; their entrance is denied

Though the wind comes at night.

I saw a face outside my place

Swiftly passed, as in a race

I blinked and there was not a trace

I shivered with the fright.

I ran upstairs to check again

Peering through the glass in vain

The window howled as if in pain

From the wind in the night.

Clutch the blade and don’t be swayed.

Seek the spirit! Seek the shade!

Call the cook and tell the maid!

We search until the light.

Laughter in the face of fear

No bravery but a butt of beer

The wetness on my face a tear

From the wind in the night.

I grabbed my hat and stroked the cat

I peered between the shivering slats

I shrugged my coat on, faced the mat

I now would find this Wight.

For who was in this deathly storm?

What poor fool trapped and all forlorn?

Or was it evil ‘pon my lawn

When the wind came at night?

Slam the door and stand before

The howling horror’s mealy maw

Step forward though the soul abhors

This strange and streaming sight.

Trees are bent and strain to rise

Back to the black and bubbling skies

Clouds thick and crying; flying eyes 

Borne on the wind at night.

The muddy grass was slippy glass

The rain like ice; cold, hard and fast

I braced against it, held the mast

Pressed on, quick as I might.

To save a soul or fight a ghost

I knew not what I feared the most

So wide eyed, I became engrossed

In the wind in the night.

Turn around, and back you bound

Running from the brutal sound

Cacophony of sky meets ground

The planet bursts alight!

Or stand and see the riders’ glee

The horses stamping fretfully

Red eyes, black coats, white spittle; see

The wind come in the night.

I didn’t flee; I had to see

What creatures stomped and stared at me

I turned and riders one, two, three

No reins; no bit to bite.

Recognition jarred my heart

My lord! My earth! My burning hearth!

My words though, they were ripped apart

By the wind in the night.

See the fire, see the spark

The star, the candle in the dark

The life, the sound to which we hark

The blood, the beat, the light;

The terrifying truth of life

The endless struggle, burning strife

Turning key and turning knife

The wind that comes at night.

It was no waif I had to save

Nor any ghostly, haunting wraith

I had spied from my house so safe

So warm and kind and light

‘Cernunnos!’ I cried out. ‘Herne!’

‘Take me with you, let me learn!’

They laughed, and all my visions burned

In the wind that came at night.

North or South or East or West

I know not which gust is the best 

I only know I need to rest 

I have no will to fight

Though each day dawns well and morning swells with promise fierce and true

Once evening creeps I cling to you.

The wind

It comes

At night.