Mother Night by James Weldon Johnson

Photo Credit: Carl Van Vechten

Mother Night 

by James Weldon Johnson

Eternities before the first-born day, 

Or ere the first sun fledged his wings of flame, 

Calm Night, the everlasting and the same, 

A brooding mother over chaos lay. 

And whirling suns shall blaze and then decay, 

Shall run their fiery courses and then claim 

The haven of the darkness whence they came; 

Back to Nirvanic peace shall grope their way. 

So when my feeble sun of life burns out, 

And sounded is the hour for my long sleep, 

I shall, full weary of the feverish light, 

Welcome the darkness without fear or doubt, 

And heavy-lidded, I shall softly creep 

Into the quiet bosom of the Night. 

* This poem is in public domain.

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a famous African-American poet, a major leader in the NAACP and the first African American professor to teach at New York University. He is well-known for writing the song, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" which was known as the "Negro National Anthem."