When Grown Men Feared the Night

By Terry Lowenstein

Night, ancient relic
of primal dark
hides well memories
of the past.

When twilight
offered warning
with curfews call,
all listened
all ventured in.

Then Nyx drew her
veil across the sky.
She ruled the dark
trailed by stars
attended by winged
creatures of the night.

It was she who gave
birth to twins,
Death and Sleep
Her household was
a full one.
Doom and Disease,
Pain and Strife,
Sorrow and Old Age
were all her progeny.
Through them
she ruled mankind.
Or so
the ancients say.

It was a time of superstition
a time when night
was feared.
A time when a shroud
of mystery cloaked
the night.

And travelers?
Travelers took care
armed with a staff of
Mountain ash.
They carried charms.
Charms to protect.
To ward off evil.
To ensure safe passage.

Daisies, four leaf clovers,
Sol terrestris
these they carried
as well as the
staff of life.

They were leery of strange places
avoided crossroads,
unless they saw
Hecates Supper.

Black puppies and ewes,
fish and eggs,
milk and honey,
garlic cloves.

Such were the offerings
to Hectates.
Thus they hoped to avoid
the wrath
of one who's very sight
drove sane men mad.

Demons of the night
terrors unknown
how different the ancient world.
Little wonder grown men
feared the dark.

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