Two Nights

In a luminous night a crystal moon Cast its rays on a silver sea, They shimmer there like a limpid wing And beauty entrances me.

But I remember a night of storm When the clouds rolled black on high; And the waters below were thick with foam While my answering voice was a sigh.

Yet the shriek of the storm was the song of my heart, For my spirit leaped to its call, As a blinding flame of lightning flashed I was unified with it all.

For youth rejoices in nature’s strife; In itself it’s akin to the beat Of her stirring passions, noise and stress. One who does not admit defeat.

On this quiet night I know the peace Of a calm, enchanting sea . . . And now I forget both storm and fire. Where is that other me?