“Rest Less”, a poem by Rob MacWolf

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You’re listening to the Voice of Dog. I’m Khaki, your faithful fireside companion,

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and Today I’m reading a poem written by Rob MacWolf,

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who has actually once been struck by lightning.

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“Rest Less”, a peom by Rob MacWolf

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Cold clouds coiling around the pregnant moon.

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Night is calling to me.

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It is rising. It is soon.

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Secret scents nocturnal up are swelling, and above

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The moon rolls like a mirror

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of the face of her I love.

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I will not go outside tonight, will nor unbar the door.

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Much as I love the moon above

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I love my pillow more.

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Dusk depths deepen,

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but my quilt is just as deep.

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Tonight will I lie warm

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beneath the secret seal of sleep.

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Long yards yearning

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as the night wears on:

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A room becomes a furlong after the light is gone.

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Strong ways winding on familiar hills

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All still to be discovered.

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When the fire chills

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The ashes seem the silver streak

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across the open plain

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When green is gone and blue is gone and black and white remain.

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Sweet grass sweating out a liquid cold.

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Close clothes fretting,

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but my will will hold. Though

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out upon the mountains I have gone questing oft,

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My eyes are very weary and my bed is very soft.

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The midnight wind is bracing

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as a wine of molten red:

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I have no need of either.

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I am already in bed.

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Silence sits as even as summer sifted sand,

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Peace, forgetfulness, and bliss are all within my hand,

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When drifts a wandering whistle

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across the fluid night,

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Its tone is very heavy,

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its voice is very light.

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It carries, calls, and choruses from engine cloud to me.

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It rings the glassy silver rails that lead down to the sea.

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It howls and harmonizes with the songs of yesterday That also echoed off the moon.

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And sleep is far away.

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The train is gone, the whistle fades.

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She will have heard it too.

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I am already doing it:

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I know what I must do.

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Tall trees rustling

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as I unlock the door

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Where every night I thrill to think

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I may return no more.

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Wild wind whispers of the wildest paths we trod

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Where in moonshadows darkly we may see the face of God.

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Brisk breeze bracing on my heavy

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hanging tongue. Sward is soft between my toes,

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the blades are new and young.

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Scant breath skitters across my shivering skin.

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The leaves smell sweet around me

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and savory within.

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Cold clouds clearing

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as the moon sails on.

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It lights the open threshold,

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I am already gone.

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Wind wakes wildly

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and ruffles up my fur:

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I think I’ll go outside tonight,

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and take a walk with her.

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Thank you for listening

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to The Voice of Dog.