The speaker moves through the same city twice and has two very different experiences. In daylight, the streets feel harsh and overbearing: people jostle him, and even sunlight seems to produce shadows rather than comfort. At night, the city becomes quiet and strange in a welcoming way. Darkness is filled with stars, and the wind feels like a living presence whispering “Hush!” to his soul. A short middle section adds a dreamlike note—a cold, fluting breeze, a hint of Pan under the trees, low laughter, and one star left glowing like a streetlamp. The mood is hushed and slightly mysterious, but not frightening. There is a sense of relief in the darkness, as if the noise of the day has finally been turned down and something ancient is allowed to speak. The speaker seems to prefer the night’s calm, where he can feel connected to something deeper, over the pressure of the daytime crowd.
Irradiations XIII — Summary
As I went through the city by day I saw shadows in sunlight: But in the night I saw everywhere Stars within the darkness.
(A coldly fluting breeze: Dark Pan under the trees. Low laughter: up the sky A star like a street-lamp left on high.)
As I went through the city by day I was hustled by jostling people. But in the night, the wind of the darkness Whispered, "Hush!" to my soul.