The Call of the Night

Cherry

By marandina

Wed, 02 Sep 2026
  • 135 reads
9 comments
 

The Call of the Night

Dusk brings the darkness,

covetous with its shroud,

where once there was light,

now stillness in shadows.

In the distance – a treeline,

silhouetted western sky,

a myriad of constellations,

skies painted with wonder.

 

The cry of a tawny owl

presages the dead of night,

territory marked by sound,

shrill in its ghostly calling.

I hear the call of the wild

transporting me from day,

strains of everyday life,

memories of what once was.

 

From the corner of my eye

I see the midnight fliers,

skittering through the air,

bats swooping, hunting prey.

Rustling through alleyways,

urban foxes search for food,

far from daytime graveyards,

bordered by creeping concrete.

 

One less woodland glade since

replaced by steel and glass;

to co-exist with nature - a wish,

a dream fired by imagination.

 

Image free to use @WikiCommons

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Makis on

Very evocative marandina, I just pictured you sitting in the darkness at the bottom of the garden in a camping chair, with a flask.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Makis. 

Ha...yes, I've thought of doing just that many times but still haven't got around to it. I can hear an owl somewhere close by at times and there are foxes roaming the streets in the late evening. We also have bats flying around in the dark.

The woodland glade is real enough or was. It's been replaced by a housing estate about a half mile away. I'm told there used to be deer roaming there along with all kinds of wildlife. As much as more housing is needed in general, it comes at a cost. Invariably, new build sites will take away the habitat of resident creatures. A solution needs to be found so that we can live in equilibrium with our animal friends rather than displacing them.  

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Enjoyed the stillness and the observations of the scene. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Rhiannon. The night can bring that peacefulness depending on where you are. I love listening out for nocturnal animals when I remember. There's more out there than we often realise. 

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

Coming back to this because I forgot to leave a comment - I love the description of midnight fliers. It's very special if you take the time to stand still and listen - a magical time of day

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, insert (and the cherries).

I think I'm going slowly mad...I read Makis's comment above as one from you. I need my eyes checked!

Anyway....yes you are so right. It is a magical time for sure. 

 

 

 

Submitted by celticman on

call of the wild. Jack London territory .But it doesn't have to be Alaska. You've captured it well. 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

It’s great to spend time outside at night. Another world comes to life and you can almost pinpoint the month by the nature of the noises emanating from the nature. Who doesn’t love a tawny owl?

Perhaps you should set traps for the creeping concrete. It can be so invasive.

A splendid poem Paul. You have me yearning for sunset.

Turlough

Submitted by lenchenelf on

explains choice of language of reverie not impact of moment in the first three; makes it all the more poignant.

very best to you

L xx