NOCTURNE

by: Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953)

HE sunset gun booms out in hollow roar

Night breathes upon the waters of the bay

The river lies, a symphony in grey,

Melting in shadow on the further shore.

 

A sullen coal barge tugs its anchor chain

A shadow sinister, with one faint light

Flickering wanly in the dim twilight,

It lies upon the harbor like a stain.

 

Silence. Then through the stillness rings

The fretful echo of a seagull's scream,

As if one cried who sees within a dream

Deep rooted sorrow in the heart of things.

 

The cry that Sorrow knows and would complain

And impotently struggle to express --

Some secret shame, some hidden bitterness --

Yet evermore must sing the same refrain.

 

Silence once more. The air seems in a swoon

Beneath the heavens' thousand opening eyes

While from the far horizon's edge arise

The first faint silvery tresses of the moon.

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• Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953) - A biography.
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• Purchase books by Eugene O'Neill