Born on the fourth day
of God's great goodness
Your Creator crowned you
to govern the night

You haunt my earliest memories
waking me in the hushed hours
an unaccustomed light
bathing my bed in squares of silver
not a sound to be heard
but my sister's soft breathing

You drew me towards the dormer window
to gaze out at your pale, round face
and in wonder at our front yard
painted with a strange and holy light
washed of color
utterly serene and silent
stark shadows made it seem 
an alien scene, another front yard
on another planet

And still sometimes you wake me
and I greet you with a smile
still ethereal and wonderful
an unexpected visitor
and yet an old, wandering friend 
who has popped in to wave
from the vault of the sky

You draw me with your secret pull
as you command the waters
My body is water, too
and I willingly rise to follow you
out the backdoor to stand on the porch
and gaze up in adoration
breathing a sigh of reverence
dear queen of the night




by Celeste Boudreaux, May 2022