A Creature of the Night

Racing clouds obscure the moon;
Starlight purifies the air.
Often I lurk in the night.
Why? Because it's peaceful there.

The gentle light strains not my eyes,
Nor ev'ning sounds assault my ears.
Here, all is pure, and true, and clean,
Not some evil den of fears.

The crickets' chorus fills the air,
The leaves dance, whisp'ring, at my feet,
The stately owl speaks out his mind.
No human music's half so sweet.

At night, I see the distant stars,
And in their tender light find peace,
For here, despite the fires of man,
There is a simple, soft release.

I gaze upon the evening sky,
And know that mankind can't defile
Those lights so far away and pure,
With everything that's bright and vile.

Why do people fear the dark?
Why hide under sunny rays?
Why detest the gentle night,
And live one's life in garish days?

I, too, endure the fiery sun,
For that's where human beings dwell.
They think they're having so much fun...
'Tis you, not I, who lives in hell.

When I must quit the lovely dark,
I carry with me its perfume.
I wear the shadows like a cloak,
And seek those corners rich with gloom.

There are a few who think I'm mad,
Or evil, or about to die.
At hearing this, I fade into
The night, and laugh until I cry.

You, friend, may keep your cheerful noise,
Your brilliant, irritating light,
While I remain, most happily,
A simple creature of the night.