Night, by Anna Margolin

Arrigo Boito - "L'altra notte in fondo al mare", Mefistofele with Maria Callas

(translated by Shirley Kumove)

I battle enemies in the darkness,
not seeing a single face.

Every night, whistling and banging,
and the tramp of disappearing steps.
I stand bloodied and dead weary
but will not, will not fall.
Every night thereafter, the broad, enveloping silence
as from many pipe organs and restless lights,
and above me, smiling, hovering,
an immense, shadowy face.