Night Walk Poem by Robert Eckstein

I could not sleep.
I lay restless and awake.
It was time to take a little walk.

Half-past two A.M. The moon has set.
Ease out of bed, pull on some clothes,
Go quiet out the door.

Piano music from a darkened house,
Satie, and played a bit too fast
As though someone wants to get it over with

I pass the preacher's house
And feel deep and slow vibrations through my feet
From some vast machinery inside.

Piglets are dancing in the doctor's yard;
A dignified pavane around a white-draped bier.
I do not pause to look too closely or to ask.

Stamp hard three times upon the wooden bridge
Before I cross the stream;
The old troll grumbles in his sleep.

The pistol in my pocket
Becomes an annoying weight.
And the rubber grip rejects my hand.

Brace and salute the soldiers' monument.
A voice says, 'Yes, I know. You're one of us.'
Another says, 'Just wait, your time will come.'

Backtrack and home again
A shot of brandy in a mug of steaming milk
Out of my clothes and easy into bed.

She stirs a bit and asks, 'Have you been up? '
'Ah yes, I had to take a little walk,
'Not much to see. It feels good to be back.'