Spell to be said before sleep

O tall black trees, bless the dark

Each clean dish nestled

in the cupboard; patient, useful

Deer in the forest, bedded down

trust night

Orion makes his way across heaven

his knife safely sheathed

All who worry without words,

lay still like snow

The moon's silver light

cascades down the mountain

swims in the trickling river.

Carry us all, O earth, safely to tomorrow.

( after Jane Hirschfield)