ACQUAINTED WITH THE NIGHT

I sitwith an emptinessthat fills me up -a longing so deepthe well has dried up. I crywith a sadnessthat says: 'Don't go"a melancholy so darkit eclipses the soul. I come from a placecalled "never enough"There's hunger at the tableThere's thirst in the cupa need so greatno feast can fill up.
BjR 14 Oct. '09. Most people read "Acquainted with the Night" as dealing with the ideas of loneliness, depression, suffering and even contemplation of suicide. Everyone can relate to the feelings of isolation as most go through a period of such feelings themselves, if to varying degrees. The poem's title is drawn from this work by ROBERT FROST

— Bonitaj, Oct 14, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Tip of Southern Africa, ZAF

Favorite Poets: Too many to narrow down, but briefly :, AUDEN, T.S. ELIOT, DICKENSON, RILKE, THOREAU, RUMI ... the list is endless. Am inspired by many, especially those that live lives of "quiet desperation, and go to the grave with a song still in them" (THoreau)

Critiques

Candlewitch

16 years 7 months ago

Hey Boni

I hear you on the loneliness... very descriptive. My favorite lines are: I come from a place called “never enough” There’s hunger at the table There’s thirst in the cup Always, Cat

Bonitaj

16 years 7 months ago

Thanks Cat!

I guess one has to have supped at this table to really be able to savour the menu! It is indeed an insatiable hunger!~ Thanks for stopping by! Boni

Seren

16 years 7 months ago

Dearest Boni , This feels

Dearest Boni , This feels like me sometimes ... you did it girl this is a little masterpiece you drowned me in your words, sad though they are ... brilliant write ... my new favourite ... love and hugs Jayne btw you know I have a poem called never enough LOL ...

Bonitaj

16 years 7 months ago

I didn't know that Jayne!

I never would've pegged you as a "never enough" kinda gal! You're always so ebullient and overflowing - from what I assumed was a place of plenty! Thanks for your words of encouragement though! Boni

Ink Dragon

16 years 7 months ago

Boni,

what a familiar feeling you describe here. Acquainted with the night, I love that title (night creature that I am), and then you go and floor me with words like a melancholy so dark it eclipses the soul. I also love the well from your first stanza, such an evocative image, makes me think of wishing wells and of female sexuality (fertility?), a wonderfully complex metaphor. Yours, ~Nina

Bonitaj

16 years 7 months ago

Gee thanks Nina

for that clarity on the last metaphor! Had no idea! well read as you indeed are - it's always great to share these insights! Boni