Night Poem by Wole Soyinka

Night

Rating: 5.0


Your hand is heavy, Night, upon my brow.
I bear no heart mercuric like the clouds,
to dare.
Exacerbation from your subtle plough.
Woman as a clam, on the sea's cresent.
I saw your jealous eye quench the sea's
Flouorescence, dance on the pulse incessant
Of the waves. And I stood, drained
Submitting like the sands, blood and brine
Coursing to the roots. Night, you rained
Serrated shadows through dank leaves
Till, bathed in warm suffusion of your dappled cells
Sensations pained me, faceless, silent as night thieves.
Hide me now, when night children haunt the earth
I must hear none! These misted cells will yet
Undo me; naked, unbidden, at Night's muted birth.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Emmanuel Ayeni 24 August 2025

Wow! At first, I was quite confused reading this poem. I kept wondering what a woman had to do with Night and how sea connected to it as well. But as I read on, I discovered how the overwhelming power of Night is vividly portrayed. Very powerful, truly profound. You're indeed an icon sir.

2 0 Reply
Michael 18 October 2020

Nice one from my mentor. Kudos sir

20 1 Reply
David 23 August 2020

Night is powerful Thank you legend.

18 3 Reply
westly silver 14 December 2019

such an encouraging poem keep it up thanks

10 3 Reply
arva 12 15 February 2018

I love this website.

8 7 Reply
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