Light Sleep

Women who sing themselves to sleep Lie with their hands at rest, Locked over them night-long as though to keep Music against their breast. They who have feared the night and lain Mumbling themselves to peace Sleep a light sleep lest they forget the strain That brings them their release. They dream, who hold beneath the hand A crumpled shape of song, Of trembling sound they do not understand, Yet love the whole night long. Women who sing themselves to sleep Must lie in fear till day, Clasping an amulet of words to keep The leaning dark away.