The Night Watchman

The old man, huddled in a cloak with his hood pulled low, makes his nightly circuit around the town. He moves ever so slowly, observing everything. He watches as a child is put to bed and wishes him sweet dreams. He sees a pair of sweethearts wandering a lonely path and spies a secret kiss. He is confidant to the lonely and companion to the wanderer. Then the hood slips; his face can be seen, a face burdened with sadness. He looks as though the cares of the world were on his shoulders, as if he felt each man, woman or child's woes. He seems to understand the troubles they face. All the secrets whispered, all the dreams shared weigh upon his heart. The hood falls back; the face is obscured once again. But for a moment you could glimpse the face of the world's watchman. For a moment you glimpsed the face of the moon.