Nighttime signifies many things. Apart from the rest and refreshment that sleep brings, the night can be a time for gazing at the stars, dreaming, and loving. For most people, there are occasions when the night brings no relief--when we are worried or afraid, trouble never looms larger than in the early sleepless hours. Yet such times also can lead to a richer experience of meditation and contemplation. These experiences of the night are universal and have inspired poetry, prayers, lullabies, songs, and stories down the ages. This wide- ranging collection is the perfect bedside companion and will help soothe us to sleep, dispel nighttime fears, and attune us to the gifts and opportunities that each new day brings.