Dark Lover

by Maggie Shayne

I loved not the night but he drew me,
With dark whispers beckoned me near
His shadow I thought would subdue me,
Enslave me in chains of fear

I wished not to look but he wooed me,
His strong, gentle hand turned my face
I opened my eyes and saw beauty,
Where I’d seen but a desolate place

I fled from the night
but he chased me,
He caught me in arms of dark steel
I sighed as I let him embrace me
In his touch, at last, I could feel

I turned to the night
and he kissed me,
On his lips I tasted sweet wine
I opened to night’s sacred mystery
He took me, and whispered, "You’re mine"

The night has become my dark lover
By day but a dream, bittersweet
At sunset I run to no other
My surrender to night is complete