The Night Thief

I happened upon this picture by a graphic designer, Chow Hon Lam, a while ago, and thought the creature seemed as frightening as whimsical, but I think if I saw him I would want to follow and see where he was taking the stars. I imagine him bringing them to market and trading them for drink, or things of far less value than starlight. It must be the crooked back and curly shoes...He calls it "Sky Thief" and I call my response "The Night Thief"

It was night when it came,

woke me with a pebble

tossed soft against a pane

so the glass wouldn't shatter,

but rang piercing treble,

'til torn from a dream

I heard it whisper my name.

I tried to sleep

for fear of the air

but the shadow could seep

so I stood at the sill

to be taken somewhere,

stretched my hand to the thief,

and felt myself leap. 

I expected to fall

and found, instead,

our feet flew up walls,

grazing chimney and tree.

Far away from my bed,

seeming ever more small,

I breathed in it all.

I doubted my sight

beneath blue-black cape

while he plucked from the night

into crinoline bags

what was not ours to take-

glittering stars, brilliant white,

tucked away in secret, extinguishing light.

By chance, then, he saw

in my face something sad,

cupped his hand to my jaw,

took me quickly away

to his people, wing-clad,

and houses of straw,

each collecting a star while I watched in awe.

Night after night I wait at the sill

while hours pass,

wondering if he will

come back to find

my wonder lasts,

to see me, still,

bags in hand, ready to fill.

~Nia Rhein~

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