In today’s fast-paced world, people often forget to pause and reflect on the little things that make life meaningful. Inspirational good night poems serve as a gentle reminder to unwind, embrace the beauty of the night, and appreciate the moments shared with loved ones. These poems can inspire a peaceful night’s sleep and encourage a fresh start the following morning.
Famed poets throughout history have embraced the tranquility of nighttime as a source of inspiration, while others have penned their own musings on the power of restful slumber to rejuvenate the soul. The soothing words of these poems have a timeless quality that continues to resonate with readers today. Inspirational good night poems show that beauty is hidden in the quiet moments just before we drift off to sleep.
In the age of the internet, these classic poems remain as relevant as ever, serving as a welcomed respite from the screen’s blue light, and grounding our thoughts in the tangible rhythms of the natural world. As we journey through the stanzas, we find solace in the knowledge that we are part of something much grander than our daily cares. Indeed, inspirational good night poems have the unique power to connect us not only to the enchanting world of sleep but also to the rich tapestry of the human experience itself.
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See Also
110 Cute Ways to Say Good Night in English | FluentU English Blog67 Positive Good Night Quotes For The Best Sleep Of Your Life – FunZumo19 Ways to Say Good Night in German and 44 More Nighttime Words and Expressions | FluentU German Blog260 Beautiful Good Night Quotes To Carry You To DreamlandInspirational Good Night Poems
Inspirational goodnight poems can provide a sense of tranquility, hope, and reassurance as one drifts off to sleep. These poems often touch on themes of love, nature, and the universe, weaving together images and emotions that can impart a sense of peace and wonder to the reader.
1. Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas Do not go gentle into that good night,Old age should burn and rave at close of day;Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Though wise men at their end know dark is right,Because their words had forked no lightning theyDo not go gentle into that good night.Good men, the last wave by, crying how brightTheir frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,Do not go gentle into that good night.Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sightBlind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,Rage, rage against the dying of the light.And you, my father, there on the sad height,Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.Do not go gentle into that good night.Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
2. Say Good Night by Hasmukh AmathalalWe wish all good nightIt is customary on our partGreat custom and traditionWith solid bond and relationEven stranger may find it as honorEven though gesture can be considered minorFew words of belonging may spring surpriseIt is full of oneness with promisesWhole of universe goes in darkAlmost under magic spell to startThe day has brought lot much happinessAny individual may want night to spent with brightnessSo “Good night” address means a lotDay is desperately and vigorously foughtWhen you receive few words for sweet sleepThat makes you delighted with good mood to keepMake it habit to say “good night”That keeps person to feel rightIt is parting gift before going to sleepYour heart may beat with happy beep
3. Good Night by Bernhart Paul HolstGood 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 songThey 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 dreamsRecompense for him who tries.Close your eyes!Good night!Slumber on ’till morning light.Sleep until the new tomorrowComes with its own toil and sorrow;Until the morning wakens bright,Good night!
4. Night by Douglas MallochThe arms of night enfold the tired day, The heavens Hght 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.
5. Good Night by Robert Charles SandsGood night to all the world! there’s none,Beneath the “over-going” sun,To whom I feel or hate or spite,And so to all a fair good night.Would I could say good night to pain,Good night to conscience and her train,To cheerless poverty, and shameThat I am yet unknown to fame!Would I could say good night to dreamsThat haunt me with delusive gleams,That through the sable future’s veilLike meteors glimmer, but to fail.Would I could say a long good nightTo halting between wrong and right,And, like a giant with new force,Awake prepared to run my course!But time o’er good and ill sweeps on,And when few years have come and gone,The past will be to me as naught,Whether remembered or forgot.Yet let me hope one faithful friend,O’er my last couch shall tearful bend;And, though no day for me was bright,Shall bid me then a long good night.
6. Good Night by Samuel Griswold GoodrichThe sun has sunk behind the hills,The shadows o'er the landscape creep;A drowsy sound the woodland fills,And nature folds her arms to sleep:Good night--good night.The chattering jay has ceased his din–The noisy robin sings no more–The crow, his mountain haunt within,Dreams 'mid the forest's surly roar:Good night--good night.The sunlit cloud floats dim and pale;The dew is falling soft and still;The mist hangs trembling o'er the vale,And silence broods o'er yonder mill:Goodnight--good night.The rose, so ruddy in the light,Bends on its stem all rayless now,And by its side the lily whiteA sister shadow, seems to bow:Good night--good night.The bat may wheel on silent wing–The fox his guilty vigils keep–The boding owl his dirges sing;But love and innocence will sleep:Good night--good night!
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Short Goodnight Poems
Goodnight poems can be a lovely way to end the day on a positive note, offering comfort and warmth. These short poems are concise, yet incredibly meaningful, making them perfect for sharing with a loved one or even for personal reflection.
7. A Wish by Theodore HigginsworthA wish for a good nightAnd a sleep that is just right.Pray that tomorrow you will awakeAnd it will be a day you can makeOne more step to make dreams come trueAnd you will find success in all you do!
8. Bid Me Good Morning by A. L. BarbauldLife! we’ve been long togetherThrough 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 climeBid me Good Morning.
9. A Clear Midnight by Walt WhitmanThis is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless,Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done,Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes thou lovest best,Night, sleep, death and the stars.
10. Good Night! by Victor Hugo Good night! Good night!Far flies the light;But still God’s loveShall flame above,Making all bright.Good night! Good night!
11. A Good Night by Francis Quarles Close now thine eyes and rest secure;Thy soul is safe enough, thy body sure;He that loves thee, He that keepsAnd guards thee, never slumbers, never sleeps.The smiling conscience in a sleeping breastHas only peace, has only rest;The music and the mirth of kingsAre all but very discords, when she sings;Then close thine eyes and rest secure;No sleep so sweet as thine, no rest so sure.
12. A Very Good Night Poet unknownStill moon rays,soothing everyone in this world,Letting worries to rest than swirl.Giving the sea its tides so high,Allowing the birds to gather their strength,To fly high and touch the sky.Forever have been these nights,Given respite to all sights.Let yourself rest now,And say a very good night.
13. Nightby Sara TeasdaleStars over snow,And in the west a planetSwinging low below a star——Look for a lovely thing and you will find it,It is not far——It will never be far.
14. The Good Night SongPoet unknownAs the day into the night fades,Your worries too find a better place.Let the stars shower you hope,And give you the strength to cope.Night is the time your mind and body sleeps,For a brand new day that simply leaps.
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Sweet Goodnight Poems
Sweet goodnight poems can bring comfort and relaxation at the end of a long day. They serve as gentle reminders of the beauty of the night and the promise of restful sleep. These poems can be shared with loved ones or read privately as part of a bedtime ritual.
15. Good Night by Ella Wheeler WilcoxThe day is at its golden height,No shadow falls on sea or land;And yet to thee I say Good night,As we stand here hand clasped in hand,Good night -Good night.The laughing waves are summer blue,The bees hum in the sun's warm light;But frosts of winter chill me through,I shiver as I say Good night.Good night -Good night.How often at the close of dayWith smiling lips we've said those words:And listened as we turned awayTo hear them echoed by the birds,Good night -Good night.We did not dream then of this hour,This sad, sad hour for you and me;We did not dream there was a powerCould force us for eternityTo say Good night.Good night -nay, turn your eyes away;I cannot bear their tender light.Now evermore to golden day,To golden hope, a last Good night,Good night -Good night.
16. Good NightPoet UnknownSleep sweetly in this quiet room,O thou, whoe'er thou art,And let no mournful yesterdaysDisturb thy peaceful heart.Nor let tomorrow scare thy restWith 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.
17. The Day Is Overby Catherine PulsiferThe day is over you've done your bestNow is the time for you to restYou can't change the events of the dayYou can't change the things others sayTomorrow is an opportunity to beginNew opportunities to take inA good night sleep will help you decideThe best opportunities to provideSleep well this nightTurn out the lightsThank God for the dayAnd find sleep will be on the way.
18. The Village Good Night by John Henry, Jr. HopkinsThe sun hath laid him down to rest,All wrapp’d in robes of gold;The little bird hath sought his nest,The bleating sheep his fold;—Kine lowingWhile goingAlong the homeward trail,Where merrilyAnd cheerilyThe milkmaid fills her pail.Now from afar the evening starPeers out with trembling light,And wild and shrill the whippoorwillRepeats his loud “Good night!”“Good night!”Our evening hours have flown along,And glided swift away,With music’s charm, and cheerful song,And converse glad and gay.Thus lightlyAnd brightlyOur tide of time has rolled;While laughterRang afterEach merry tale well told.But in the sky the Moon rides high,And, from the belfry’s height,The midnight chime now tolls the timeWhen we must bid “Good night.”“Good night!”May no sad thought, nor carking care,Invade your tranquil rest;Nor nightmare grim, nor goblin, dareTramp o’er your slumbering breast.ProfoundlyAnd soundlyMay Peace your eyelids close;Safe keeping,While sleeping,Your heart from waking woes.May Angels stand, a guardian band,Around you calm and bright;While near you move, in dreams of love,Sweet forms that breathe “Good night!”
19. Good-Night Song by Laura E. RichardsGood-night, Sun! go to bed!Take your crown from your shining head.Now put on your gray night-cap,And shut your eyes for a good long nap.Good-night, Sky, bright and blue!Not a wink of sleep for you.You must watch us all the night,With your twinkling eyes so bright.Good-night, flowers! now shut upEvery swinging bell and cup.Take your sleeping-draught of dew:Pleasant dreams to all of you!Good-night, birds, that sweetly sing!Little head ‘neath little wing!Every leaf upon the treeSoft shall sing your lullaby.Last to you, little child,Sleep is coming soft and mild.Now he shuts your blue eyes bright:Little Baby dear, good-night!
20. The Little Boy’s Good-Night by Eliza Lee Cabot FollenThe sun is hidden from our sight,The birds are sleeping sound;‘Tis time to say to all, “Good night!”And give a kiss all round.Good night! my father, mother, dear,Now kiss your little son;Good night! my friends, both far and near,Good night to every one.Good night! ye merry, merry birds,Sleep well till morning light;Perhaps if you could sing in words,You would have said, “Good night!”To all my pretty flowers, good night!You blossom while I sleep;And all the stars, that shine so bright,With you their watches keep.The moon is lighting up the skies,The stars are sparkling there;‘Tis time to shut our weary eyes,And say our evening prayer.
21. Good Night and Good Morning by Richard Monckton MilnesA fair little girl sat under a tree,Sewing as long as her eyes could see;Then smoothed her work and folded it right,And said, "Dear work, good night, good night!"Such a number of rooks came over her head,Crying "Caw, caw!" on their way to bed.She said, as she watched their curious flight,"Little black things, good night, good night!"The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed,The sheep's "bleat, bleat!" came over the road;All seeming to say, with a quiet delight,"Good little girl, good night, good night!"She did not say to the sun, "Good night!"Though she saw him there like a ball of light,For she knew he had God's time to keepAll over the world, and never could sleep.The tall pink foxglove bowed his head;The violets curtsied and went to bed;And good little Lucy tied up her hair,And said, on her knees, her favorite prayer.And while on her pillow she softly lay,She knew nothing more till again it was day;And all things said to the beautiful sun,"Good morning, good morning! our work is begun."
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Romantic Goodnight Poems
In literature and human interaction, romantic good night poems are often a touching and intimate way to communicate your feelings to your partner, either to close the day with warmth or to bring back the fire within your relationship. These poems can deliver powerful messages of love and passion
22. A Late Good Night by Robert Fuller MurrayMy lamp is out, my task is done,And up the stair with lingering feetI climb. The staircase clock strikes one.Good night, my love! good night, my sweet!My solitary room I gain.A single star makes incompleteThe blackness of the window pane.Good night, my love! good night, my sweet!Dim and more dim its sparkle grows,And ere my head the pillows meet,My lids are fain themselves to close.Good night, my love! good night, my sweet!My lips no other words can say,But still they murmur and repeatTo you, who slumber far away,Good night, my love! good night, my sweet!
23. Good-Night by Paul Laurence DunbarThe lark is silent in his nest,The breeze is sighing in its flight,Sleep, Love, and peaceful be thy rest.Good-night, my love, good-night, good-night.Sweet dreams attend thee in thy sleep,To soothe thy rest till morning’s light,And angels round thee vigil keep.Good-night, my love, good-night, good-night.Sleep well, my love, on night’s dark breast,And ease thy soul with slumber bright;Be joy but thine and I am blest.Good-night, my love, good-night, good-night.
24. Good-Night by Percy Bysshe ShelleyGood-night? ah! no; the hour is illWhich severs those it should unite;Let us remain together still,Then it will be good night.How can I call the lone night good,Though thy sweet wishes wing its flight?Be it not said, thought, understood —Then it will be — good night.To hearts which near each other moveFrom evening close to morning light,The night is good; because, my love,They never say good-night.
25. Good Night My Sweet AngelPoet unknownGood night my sweet angel,Have a wonderful night,Do think about me tonightSo, what if I am out of sightStill I am missing you tonightJust want to wish you throughThat you have a wonderful night,Good night!
26. Goodnight My Loveby Skye RhiannonJust wanted to say to you my dear,Goodnight and please sleep tight,I will talk to you tomorrow,But as for now please pretend I’m there,Please just hold me tight,Have the sweetest of dreams,Know that I love you,Now I must slumber,I will fantasize and dream about you my prince,Feel free to invade my head anytime you wish,I will always be here with you,Goodnight to the sweetest heart out there,May all your sweet dreams come true lover dear.
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Goodnight Poems for Friends
Sharing good night poems with friends can be a delightful way of ending their day on a positive note. These good night poems for friends aim at expressing one’s feelings and thoughts, leaving a lasting impression while bidding farewell to the night and best wishes to sleep well.
27. At Night by Lillian E CurtisTime, 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.
28. Wishing You by Kate SummersWishing you a peaceful sleepFrom you, we will hear not a peepTired from a hard day’s workSleep should come without a shirk.May you have sweet dreams tonightAnd in the morning awake so brightMay the angels watch over youKeep you safe until the morning dew.Tomorrow is a brand new dayBut tonight sleep is needed I must sayLove you today but tomorrow moreLife has much for you in-store. The night has become so quiet nowClose your eyes and take a bowYou did your best the day is doneAwake in the morning with the sun.
29. But at Night by Sam FickinsenEach day I wish you a good dayBut at night I must sayI love you see you in the mornAnd let you know you I adoreEach day with you is a special oneWe always laugh and have some funBut night brings and end to the dayIt brings us peace in every way.So as we lay down our headsAnd cover up all snug in bedI wish you a good nightAnd can’t wait to see you at first light.
30. Night by Norma BeardThe sky is lit with a million stars,The moon is shining bright –The best part of the glorious dayIs when it turns to night.The river’s water ripples softIn the pale moonlight:It seems to sing a happy song,A song of great delight.The leaves on the trees are dancingTo a fairy tune;They whirl around, twirl around,And seem to touch the moon.And then the shadowy figuresOf a hundred cherry treesAre lifting their arms up to the skyAnd are laughing in the breeze.Of course the birdOn its outspread wingHomeward safely flies –And to think I can see it allWith my own two eyes.
31. A Valedictory by Robert MorrisGood night! the spirits of the blest and goodFrom these dear wails go with you and abide;In hours of sorrow, hours of solitude,Or when the hosts of melancholy brood,And cloud your mind, may angel spirits glideFrom the White THRONE and give you great delight;Dear friends, good night!Good night! good night! and joy be with you all;May sickness never blight, nor poverty;May slanderous breath your spirits ne’er appall;May no untoward accident befall,But all things prosperous and happy be;May morning suns rise on you fresh and bright;Dear friends, good night!Good night! in dreams may faithful Martha comeTo tell of her beloved, high in Heaven;And Ruth , the gleaner, from her harvest home,And Adah , maid immortal, from her tomb,Esther and true Electa , spirits bright,And say, good night!Good night! and when the shadows of the graveClose in around you, — when the laboring breathDraws heavily, and unto Him who gave,You yield the spirit, be HE strong to save,Who is our GUIDE and SAVIOUR unto death!Then may dear friends and heavenly hopes uniteTo say, good night!
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Which Good Night Poem Will You End With Tonight?
As the day comes to a close, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on our experiences and find peace in the present moment. This list of inspirational good night poems offer uplifting verses that can help calm the mind and prepare for a peaceful slumber. Whether you’re looking for special words of comfort, encouragement, or simply a reminder to appreciate the beauty of life, these poems are sure to inspire. So as you lay your head down tonight, let these verses guide you towards a restful and rejuvenating sleep, and wake up ready to face whatever the new day brings.
