Get Your Premium Membership

Waking at 3 a.m

 Even in the cave of the night when you
wake and are free and lonely,
neglected by others, discarded, loved only
by what doesn't matter--even in that
big room no one can see,
you push with your eyes till forever
comes in its twisted figure eight
and lies down in your head.
You think water in the river; you think slower than the tide in the grain of the wood; you become a secret storehouse that saves the country, so open and foolish and empty.
You look over all that the darkness ripples across.
More than has ever been found comforts you.
You open your eyes in a vault that unlocks as fast and as far as your thought can run.
A great snug wall goes around everything, has always been there, will always remain.
It is a good world to be lost in.
It comforts you.
It is all right.
And you sleep.

Poem by William Stafford
Biography | Poems | Best Poems | Short Poems | Quotes | Email Poem - Waking at 3 a.mEmail Poem | Create an image from this poem

Poems are below...



More Poems by William Stafford

Comments, Analysis, and Meaning on Waking at 3 a.m

Provide your analysis, explanation, meaning, interpretation, and comments on the poem Waking at 3 a.m here.

Commenting turned off, sorry.


Book: Shattered Sighs