At Midnight

At midnight

I awoke

and looked up to the heavens;

no star on the teeming firmament

smiled upon me

at midnight.

At midnight

my thoughts stretched out

into the furthest reaches of darkness.

No image of light

brought me consolation

at midnight.

At midnight

I heeded

the beat of my heart;

a single throb of pain

was roused

at midnight.

At midnight

I fought the battle

of humanity, of your suffering;

I could not resolve it

with all my might

at midnight.

At midnight

I yielded all my might

into your hand:

Lord over death and life,

You stand guard

at midnight.