This poem is particularly suited to choir work as various voices can be used in isolation as well as unison. It is a poem that has been written with the intention of providing a large amount of movement within the choir format. 5 stanzas of 8 lines each.
A NIGHT WALK
Michele Lourie
Through the bush, all in the dark
Not a light we see,
Stop, be still! What’s that shape?
There behind that tree.
Where?
There – it’s big and black.
(pause)
Let’s take the other track.
Across the rickety wooden bridge
Fast-running stream below,
Stay, hold on! What’s that light?
That eerie sort of glow.
Where?
There – like an alien’s ray.
(pause)
Let’s go the other way.
The night’s so black we cannot see
A thing before our nose.
Wait, don’t move! I felt something
Slide across my toes.
Where?
There – by that log.
(pause)
Let’s break into a jog.
The grass is long, it swishes past
Our shivery, quaking knees.
Halt, hang cool, what did I touch
That’s making my blood freeze?
Where?
There – slimy like a toad.
(pause)
Let’s find another road.
We’re glad we made it all this way
To prove that we were game.
Now, turn around and we’ll go back
The same way that we came.
(begin to turn – then turn back)
Please don’t worry, we’ll be alright.
(pause)
It’s just we love, yes really love…..
To give ourselves – a fright!