Amplify LGBTQ+ Poets, Day 19

The Dreamer

by Djuna Barnes

The night comes down, in ever-darkening shapes that seem—

To grope, with eerie fingers for the window—then—

To rest to sleep, enfolding me, as in a dream

            Faith—might I awaken!

And drips the rain with seeming sad, insistent beat.

Shivering across the pane, drooping tear-wise,

And softly patters by, like little fearing feet.

            Faith—this weather!

The feathery ash is fluttered; there upon the pane,—

The dying fire casts a flickering ghostly beam,—

Then closes in the night and gently falling rain.

            Faith—what darkness!

This poem is in the public domain.

Most Poetry will post a poem by a LGBTQ+ poet, selected by our members, each day through the month of August.