THIS SATURDAY NIGHT ! POEMS ! BY GAIL ANNETTE EASTERLING

One of my favorite things to see is a star-spangled sky, through the leaves of a tree as I lay on my cot in the still of the night.  God surely created a beautiful sight!

NIGHT IS

The Night is silent and dark
a deep and timeless dark,
a sable sanctuary.
Night time is a time
of contemplation and meditation.
Night is simplicity
and relaxation,
a time of leisure and ease.
Night is an ebony lover
that beckons at each day’s end,
inviting you to enter
into a charcoal chamber of mystery.
Night is a welcome tunnel
between yesterday and tomorrow.
Night is a contract of comfort
revocable at dawn.
Night is the ash of today
and the fertile soil of tomorrow.

TO US

A nervous group we were indeed
a few short weeks ago,
But now we are more confident
for we have come to know
That Each of us has some skills,
and a place to go.

So now it’s time for us to choose
some goals and plan ahead
To have a better place in life,
And many more insteads!

EXISTENCE

What is this existence all about…
the unrelenting yearning from
within, the unrelenting pressure
from without? There is a price
that all must pay from birth
until the dying day… as we
perceive no other way.

The fleeting pleasures all too few…
the stresses great and strong
make the hardy tremble, as
through life they trudge along.
How can the fragile flower
perched on a dainty stem,
lend fragrance for an hour
when tread upon by men?
The rain of understanding
falls on very few.
We are here but for a moment…
Dew- just passing through-
on a leaf of life;
blown here and there
by frantic winds of strife.

FEAR OF FEAR

What is the worst thing that could happen?
Speak out loud your greatest fear-
the thing that in the nighttime
haunts you-
What grotesque mask does it wear?

Name the thing that makes you
tremble in your heart and
shake with fright…
that makes you shudder at the
mention- No! No!
keep it from my sight.

What is the worst thing
that could happen if we
should have to face our fear?
Would we be truly devastated,
Would it be more than we could bear?

Is it really safer to keep fear
on the shelf?
Perhaps the worst fear in the world
is simply fear itself.

Though it may take some courage
to look fear in the face,
It may be the only way
To keep fear in its place.

You are a golden holiday-
a walk along the beach.
You are a pause,  the gentle
breeze, love
within my reach.

You are the blue of waters calm
and balmy air
Soft and warm.

You are the stars reborn
at night,
That bathe my soul
in magic light.

You are a golden holiday…
As I continue on my way.

G.a.E.  d.1987
Right: the author, center, surrounded by photos of her family. Top of post: a painting by the author.