Lou J. Klaiber

RESTLESS NIGHT

“it’s just us, sarge” (… laughter)
“go back to bed” (… more soft laughter)

It is never a dream… anymore.

First… it was one…
then another…
three,
now four.

A pale moon
A cold breeze
A walk at 3 AM.

Never a dream anymore.

“go back to bed sarge!”
“it’s just us!”
…………………………………………………………………………

The crows
are calling the dawn
as they carry
the restless night,
… home once more.

‘Old Soldier’ things
they carry,
…… across the sky.

Voices…!
…… laughter!
… night things
upon their wings.
……………………………………………………………………………

And never far behind
are moments,

riding beneath the slapping blades of an old ‘steel bird’,
dreaming itself
… an LZ
called home.

The day is waiting
upon the promise of sundown.

Sunset!
… and voices,
restless again,
for another night.

“It’s just us, Sarge!”

Author’s Note: In memory of ‘Jonesie’ who died at 3am today as I was writing this poem. God speed ‘Jonesie’!