This poem is taken from PN Review 55, Volume 13 Number 5, May - June 1987.

Night Watches

Anne Ridler

Somnus lies on a couch of feathers,
Curtains, black, around his head
And dreams beside him. Breathing quietly
Lie the lucky who share his bed.

They in a moment cover the hours
From night to morning; but the rest
Deep in the gulf must feel their way
From hour to hour, with lids shut tight
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