Nightfall on Ringworld
Words by Joe Ficklin © 2025-02-26

The shadow is coming / It's time now to rest Putting away the tools of the day Returning to homes / As birds to their nest As shadow, full run, envelopes the sun And if the air is clear enough / You can see the rising land In the distance fires dance / From the mountains to the sand I have seen the Sea of Storms / The endless road that knows no king Yet the mountains draw no nearer / On this vast, eternal ring By starlight in shadow / We'll take to the inn Some time to think and have a slow drink And head out for home / before cold rains begin The morrow will dawn as the shadow move on REFRAIN Gods of the shadows / Gods of the night Majestic creatures with unknowable features Great shadows above us in vast endless flight To section the days in myriad ways REFRAIN The shadow is here now / It is time to sleep Let all on the ground by day's light be found And rising in first light / Our faithfulness keep At day's light we'll sing, giving praise to the ring