Traveller of the Night

A sadness settles with the sinking sun,

A light gone out and all the earth grown cold,

The inconstant stars reflecting yield no warmth

And cavernous night resumes its stranglehold.

In unconscious dream or nightmare wanderings

Where dark pernicious visitants abound

We walk the shores of dark unknowingly

And enter realms we were not meant to sound.

When we into those nether worlds descend,

Unaware of guardian or guide,

Devoid of sight we cannot comprehend

The dangers of the soul that might betide

The traveller of the night in these fell deeps

Where the Betrayer is often garbed as friend,

His approaching smile, his warm and welcome hand

Extended to lure us to untimely end.

To traverse these depths we cannot own nor claim

No talisman secure, no magic charm

Inviolate but on our lips the Name,

All evil's strength His Presence shall disarm.