NAPOWRIMO - 6 April 2006 - Late Into The Night

The night strained to be heard
in protest of its silence,
like a man not able to talk
wanting to sing.
The sky was a black velvet blanket
but its warmth was chill instead.
Lamposts hung from the ground,
each with two arms reaching out
to embrace the night.
Trees cast swaying shadows
on cars, gravel and asphalt,
and all within their reach,
like a giant boogieman
stalking from behind
with his many hands
and whispers of muffled swish.
Grass stirred with eerie sounds
of unknown creatures
that only late nights knew of.
It was a long wait before dawn,
before the breath of the sun
warmed the air again.