Good Night Poems

Table of Contents

• Reflections on Night Poems
• Good Night Wishes and Farewell Poems
• Blessings and Prayers for the Night
• Poems that Contemplate Life and Rest
• Poems about Children’s Perspective on Night and Sleep
• Famous Poems about Good Night

Reflections on Night Poems

This category explores the peaceful beauty of the night, capturing reflections on rest, quietness, and the end of day.


1. Night
   Poet: Douglas Malloch
   
   The arms of night enfold the tired day,
   The heavens light their million little lamps,
   And, where the sun beheld the world's affray,
   The gentle moon reviews its sleeping camps.
   
   Thank God for night; thank God that men must sleep;
   Thank God that men must pause in toil for gain —
   For, did they not, their eyes must ever weep.
   For, did they not, their hearts must ever pain.
   
   Thank God for sleep; thank God for night and rest;
   I take the balm and press it to my eyes.
   Here I shall slumber, head upon my breast.
   And here, refreshed, behold the new day rise.
   




2. The Day Is Over
   Poet: Catherine Pulsifer, ©2020
   
   The day is over you've done your best
   Now is the time for you to rest
   You can't change the events of the day
   You can't change the things others say
   
   Tomorrow is an opportunity to begin
   New opportunities to take in
   A good night sleep will help you decide
   The best opportunities to provide
   
   Sleep well this night
   Turn out the lights
   Thank God for the day
   And find sleep will be on the way.




Be Thankful Poems



3. Night
   By Norma Beard
   
   The sky is lit with a million stars,
   The moon is shining bright -
   The best part of the glorious day
   Is when it turns to night.
   
   The river's water ripples soft
   In the pale moonlight:
   It seems to sing a happy song,
   A song of great delight.
   
   The leaves on the trees are dancing
   To a fairy tune;
   They whirl around, twirl around,
   And seem to touch the moon.
   
   And then the shadowy figures
   Of a hundred cherry trees
   Are lifting their arms up to the sky
   And are laughing in the breeze.
   
   Of course the bird
   On its outspread wing
   Homeward safely flies -
   And to think I can see it all
   With my own two eyes.


Related: Poems about Night

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Good Night Wishes and Farewell Poems

These poems offer warm good-night wishes and gentle farewells, perfect for ending the day on a kind note.


4. Good Night
   Poet: Bernhart Paul Holst
   
   Good night! Fade the parting rays of light;
   Now the daily labors end,
   Rest comes to the busy hand,
   Until the morning wakens bright,
   Good night!
   
   Go to rest!
   Close your eyes with feelings best.
   For the birds have hushed the song
   They were chirping all day long,
   And the night makes this request:
   Go to rest!
   
   Close your eyes!
   Dream of a happy Paradise,
   Life is not always what it seems,
   But sleep requites with happy dreams
   Recompense for him who tries.
   Close your eyes!
   
   Good night!
   Slumber on 'till morning light.
   Sleep until the new tomorrow
   Comes with its own toil and sorrow;
   Until the morning wakens bright,
   Good night!




5. Good Night
   Poet: Max Ehrmann
   
   Good night, thou sweet, old world, good night;
   Enfold me in the gentle light
   Of other days, when gleams
   Of dewy meadows held my dreams;
   And quiet walks, as day sank low,
   Dispelled each touch of woe.
   Let me forget these joys be gone,
   But feel them coming on
   From out the past, with laughter's cries
   And dream-enamored skies
   Of old. One hand let me hold tight.
   Good night, thou sweet, old world, good night.




Good Poems



6. Good-Night
   Poet: Percy Bysshk Shell
   
   Good-night? No, love! the night is ill
   Which severs those it should unite;
   Let us remain together still,
   Then it will be good night.
   
   How were the night without thee good,
   Though thy sweet wishes wing its flight?
   Be it not said, thought, understood, -
   Then it will be good night.
   
   The hearts that on each other beat
   From evening close to morning light
   Have nights as good as they are sweet,
   But never say "Good-night."




7. Good Night
   by Victor Hugo
   
   Good night! Good night!
   Far flies the light;
   But still God’s love
   Shall flame above,
   Making all bright.
   Good night! Good night!




8. Good Night
   Poet Unknown
   
   Sleep sweetly in this quiet room,
   O thou, whoe'er thou art,
   And let no mournful yesterdays
   Disturb thy peaceful heart.
   
   Nor let tomorrow scare thy rest
   With thoughts of coming ill;
   Thy Maker is thy changeless friend,
   His love surrounds thee still.
   
   Forget thyself and all the world;
   Put out each feverish light.
   The stars are watching overhead.
   Sleep sweetly then. Good night.


Related: Goodbye Poems

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Blessings and Prayers for the Night

Filled with heartfelt blessings, these poems provide a sense of peace and protection for the night ahead.


9. Night Blessing
   Poet: Unknown
   
   May the God of heaven's vault bless you
   May the God of shimmering moonlight love you
   May the God of sparkling stars lead you
   May the God of haunting songs cheer you.
   
   May the God of strange shadows calm your nerves
   May the God of straight roads bring you home
   May God be watching from a  familiar window
   And hand in hand with Him may you wait for dawn
   
   Good Night, may God bless you this night




Poems about God's Blessings



10. A Wish
    Poet: Theodore W. Higginsworth
    
    A wish for a good night
    And a sleep that is just right.
    Pray that tomorrow you will awake
    And it will be a day you can make
    One more step to make dreams come true
    And you will find success in all you do!
    




11. Wishing You
    Poet: Kate Summers
    
    Wishing you a peaceful sleep
    From you, we will hear not a peep
    Tired from a hard day's work
    Sleep should come without a shirk.
    
    May you have sweet dreams tonight
    And in the morning awake so bright
    May the angels watch over you
    Keep you safe until the morning dew.
    
    Tomorrow is a brand new day
    But tonight sleep is needed I must say
    Love you today but tomorrow more
    Life has much for you in-store.
    
    The night has become so quiet now
    Close your eyes and take a bow
    You did your best the day is done
    Awake in the morning with the sun.




12. Bid Me Good Morning
    Poet: A. L. Barbauld
    
    Life! we've been long together
    Through pleasant and through cloudy weather,
    'Tis hard to part when friends are dear, -
    Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear;
    Then steal away, give little warning.
    Choose thine own time;
    Say not Good Night, - but in some brighter clime
    Bid me Good Morning.


Related: Short Prayers

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Poems that Contemplate Life and Rest

This section features poems that ponder the cycles of life, the value of rest, and the quiet moments of reflection.


13. What Is Life?
    Poet: Unknown
    
    A little crib beside the bed;
    A little face upon the spread;
    A little shoe upon the floor;
    A little frock behind the door;
    A little lad with curly hair;
    A little blue-eyed face and fair;
    A little lane that leads to school;
    A little pencil, slate, and rule;
    A little winsome, blithesome maid;
    A little hand within his laid;
    A little family gathering round;
    A little turf -heaped, tear-dewed mound;
    A little cottage, acres four;
    A little old-time household store;
    A little added to his soil;
    A little rest from hardest toil;
    A little silver in his hair;
    A little stool and an easy chair;
    A little night of earth-lit gloom;
    A little cortege to the tomb.
    We say "Good day" at early dawn;
    We smile when little baby's born;
    We laugh all through the sunshine bright;
    When life is done, we say, "Good night."




Poems about Life



14. But At Night
    Poet: Sam Fickinsen
    
    Each day I wish you a good day
    But at night I must say
    I love you see you in the morn
    And let you know you I adore
    
    Each day with you is a special one
    We always laugh and have some fun
    But night brings and end to the day
    It brings us peace in every way.
    
    So as we lay down our heads
    And cover up all snug in bed
    I wish you a good night
    And can't wait to see you at first light.




15. A Ma Future
    by Edwin Arnold
    
    Where waitest thou.
    Lady I am to love? Thou comest not,
    Thou knowest of my sad and lonely lot —
    I looked for thee ere now.
    
    It is the May,
    And each sweet sister soul hath found its brother;
    Only we two seek fondly each the other,
    And, seeking, still delay.
    
    Where art thou, sweet?
    I long for thee as thirsty lips for streams;
    Oh, gentle promised angel of my dreams.
    
    Why do we never meet?
    Thou art as I —
    Thy soul doth wait for mine, as mine for thee:
    We cannot live apart — must meeting be
    
    Never before we die?
    Dear soul, not so!
    For time doth keep for us some happy years,
    And God hath portioned us our smiles and tears;
    Thou knowest, and I know.
    
    Yes, we shall meet;
    And therefore let our searching be the stronger;
    Dark ways of life shall not divide us longer,
    Nor doubt, nor danger, sweet.
    
    Therefore I bear
    This winter-tide as bravely as I may,
    Patiently waiting for the bright spring day
    That Cometh with thee, dear.
    
    'Tis the May light
    That crimsons all the quiet college gloom;
    May it shine softly in thy sleeping-room —
    And so, dear wife, good-night!


Related: Morning Motivation

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Poems about Children’s Perspective on Night and Sleep

These charming poems capture a child’s view of bedtime, full of innocence and dreams.


16. Dreamland Journey
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
    
    The stars are tiny night-lights, bright,
    They twinkle softly, just right.
    My teddy waits, my blanket’s near,
    The world grows fuzzy, calm, and clear.
    
    I close my eyes, a story starts,
    Of far-off lands and magic carts.
    With unicorns and skies of blue,
    In Dreamland, there’s so much to do.
    
    Goodnight, my room, so soft and small,
    Tonight, I’ll dream and see it all.




Poems About Dreams



17. Johnny Speaks
    Poet: Paul Laurence Dunbar
    
    The sand–man he’s a jolly old fellow,
    His face is kind and his voice is mellow,
    But he makes your eyelids as heavy as lead,
    And then you got to go off to bed;
    I don’t think I like the sand–man.
    
    But I’ve been playing this livelong day;
    It does make a fellow so tired to play!
    Oh, my, I’m a–yawning right here before ma,
    I’m the sleepiest fellow that ever you saw.
    I think I do like the sand–man.


Related: Poems For Kids

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Famous Poems about Good Night

Explore these poems written by famous poets on the subject of good night.


18. Sleep Song
    Poet: Henry VanDyke
    
    Forget, forget!
    The tide of life is turning; The waves of light ebb slowly down the west:
    Along the edge of dark some stars are burning
    To guide thy spirit safely to an isle of rest.
    A little rocking on the tranquil deep
    Of song, to soothe thy yearning,
    A little slumber and a little sleep,
    And so, forget, forget. . . .
    Read the complete poem, Sleep Song




19. Good Night
    Poet: Nixon Waterman
    
    The gold is fading from the west,
    The peaceful worlds is wrapped in rest
    The little stars their candles light.
    Now from the busy day's sojourn
    And all its welcome tasks we turn,
    Bidding the world, fondly good night. . . .
    Read the complete poem, Good Night




20. Sleep
    Poet: Patience Strong
    
    Sleep is a soft and gentle hand that charms away all strife -
    And draws us with a magic touch from out the grasp of Life -
    It throws into our tired eyes the golden dust of dreams -
    And we forget our failures and our little futile schemes . . .
    Read the complete poem, Sleep




Positive Poems



21. At Night
    Poet: Lillian E Curtis
    
    Time, when the world with its weary cares and insidious snares,
    With its smiles and frowns, and ups and downs,
    With its harsh words cold, and stares so bold,
    With its many a mansion, and lovers of fashion,
    With its hovels and huts, and scornful cuts,
    With its few generous hands, to reach where Worth stands,
    With its tired brains, its losses and gains,
    With its aching hearts, its cruel darts,
    With its steam of prosperity, its wheels of adversity,
    Time, when the weary world, by Fate's finger twirled,
    Bars its factory door for the rich and the poor,
    From the Squire to the Clerk, all rest from their work,
    And the world is shut in by a door whose hinges are light,
    And the name of this door is the beautiful Night.


Related: Famous Poems

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