The Night Star & Other Poems

By Paul Gallagher

Featured in New Lyre Spring 2021

The Night Star 
By Paul Gallagher 

At last, the Sun looked down upon the treasure 
                The night star had seen; 
It rose, and burned to know what midnight pleasure 
                To the night star, this had been; 
Gold and bright it shone, seeking the measure 
                Of those hours dark and mean -- 
What could the lovely herald of the night 
Have seen, more sweet than morning’s fair delight? 

The night star, when the great light turned away, 
                Had like a jewel appeared, 
Glowing at how all changed the dark world lay, 
                New flowered and new-sphered, 
Now fed with hidden sunlight from the day, 
                In veins more richly stored -- 
Then she had seen, after the darkness came 
How midnight kindles night winds into flame; 

How quick the melancholy mind rejoices, 
                And casts mansions in time; 
So bright she shone, and cast down heaven’s voices 
                Like Philomel, sublime; 
She filled the eastern air, where day arises, 
                With every breeze and clime – 
And on the Earth, though still and sad, the root 
Of great trees stirred, and arbors glowed with fruit.