Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Everything is Better at Night

"My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But Ah, my foes, and Oh, my friends--
It gives a lovely light."
            ~ Edna St, Vincent Millay
 
Like a newborn baby, I have my days and nights turned around. Sometimes I stay up until 3, 4, 5 or 6 a.m. before going to bed. It’s not uncommon for me to see the light of a new day before I close my eyes on the old one.
Everyone tells me I should sleep at night because it’s healthier for us to sleep in darkness, but once you establish the pattern, it's very hard to change. When most people are going to bed, my evening is just beginning.
Everything is better at night: the music on the radio, the lack of interruptions via phone and doorbell, the quiet – no noise from traffic, barking dogs or screaming children.
People ask, “What do you do all night?”
Well, sometimes I write – it’s uncanny how much better the imagination is and how much easier words and ideas flow in the darkest hour of the night. It’s also a good time to read. Or meditate. Or just be.

It’s an excellent time to retreat to that private place in your soul where there is only you and God. I think this is more relaxing than eight hours of sleep.

My doctor says, “As long as you get your eight hours, it doesn’t matter when,” but friends and family continue to argue that I should be getting my zzzzzzz’s while it’s dark. I don’t know who’s right, but I do know that I agree with Vincent Van Gogh who said...
"I often think the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day." 
 

5 comments:

Janet said...

Nice Peggy!

Dennis J. said...

Beautifully written. I agree that everything seems better at night, but I have to get up early for work so I can't enjoy the night hours like you. Maybe someday I will when I retire. Enjoy the night Peggy.

Jon said...

You put words together so well Peggy. You could write about garbage and it would be beautiful.

Audria Thomason Botkin said...

Well said! Count that as a double compliment from an early to bed, early to rise person who is up at 1 am..... Sounds like you have sorted out what works for you! God bless your wordsmithing...whatever the hour. Hmmm...that begs the question, "Does God sleep?"

Claire Swenson said...

Beautifully written my friend. If I didn't have to work or be responsible for anything I might do the same thing. Someday......