The Half We Usually Miss

 

Comes the night.
Comes that glorious shade of indigo-black.
No turning back.
It has to roll forward, roll on.
It has to be night.

 

And we all close our eyes.
And drift away to other worlds, other people.
In our dreams we could be anyone, anywhere.
Sleeping under that inky sky.
Time drifting by unawares.
Cares are laid to rest.
Or dragged into a nightmare.

 

And somewhere, You are.
The One who needs no sleep.
The One our souls to keep.
Are You still creating?
Through the night are You star making?

 

Twinkle twinkle little star.
Shining down on us below.
Do you watch us sleeping. Breathing.
Breathing. Breathing. Breathing.
A miracle of workmanship.
Of lungs, of hearts, of brains.
Breathing in. Breathing out again.

 

The half we usually miss is not sleeping.
Owls and bats are flying.
The clouds still drift by, invisible.
And up there, somewhere.
Comets are shooting, asteroids moving.
Stars are dying.

 

If I could travel to the ends of the universe.
And look back.
I imagine a rich and beautiful velvet black gown.
Studded with starry diamonds.
With planets.

 

There would be the greenest green of trees and grass.
Emeralds.
Sapphires of ocean blue. And sky.
And blood red rubies. And I would cry.
For all the blood that has been shed.

 

The half we usually miss is clothed in mystery.
We sleep. You keep the world turning.
How beautiful is that wondrous sky.
As time ticks by.
 

Your loving eye watches. Cares.
You are always there.

There is not one inch of the day.
Or the half we usually miss.
That You don't fill.
You reign still. Over it all.
 

Every rise and fall.
Every morning and night.
You are the Way, the Truth, and the Light.

So to the half we usually miss.
I blow a kiss. Of thanks.
Thank You for a cosy bed.
 

A place to lay my head in safety.
A place to dream.
Knowing as I sleep. I am seen.
I am loved.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
The half we usually miss.

​

Kim Payne