Good Night (Poem by C. J. Dennis)

Good Night

By C. J. Dennis

And so, Good Night. I'm rather tired.

I hardly thought I'd be required

    To draw a lot of pictures, too,

    When I arranged to write for you.

I found it hard, but did my best;

And now I need a little rest.

    If you are pleased, why, that's all right.

    I'm rather tired. And so

                                          GOOD NIGHT!

Poem Analysis:

“Good Night” by C. J. Dennis, one of Australia's most beloved poets, is a short, whimsical piece that serves as a closing note—perhaps the final entry in a collection or the conclusion to a longer narrative. Known for his humor, simplicity, and conversational tone, Dennis here offers a charming and relatable expression of creative exhaustion, presented with a touch of wit and humility.

Tone and Voice

The tone of the poem is casual, candid, and lightly humorous. Dennis adopts a first-person voice, speaking directly to the reader as if concluding a performance or letter. This creates a sense of personal connection, as though we’re hearing from a friend or storyteller who’s shared something of himself and is now ready to rest.

"I'm rather tired. I hardly thought

I'd be required

To draw a lot of pictures, too..."

The phrasing is informal and chatty, almost childlike in its honesty, which adds to the poem’s warmth and charm.

Theme: Creative Effort and Fatigue

At its heart, the poem explores the theme of creative labor. The speaker didn’t expect to “draw a lot of pictures”—a metaphor for the imaginative or illustrative work that often accompanies writing. This may be literal (if the speaker is also an illustrator) or symbolic of the extra emotional and mental energy required to entertain an audience.

"I found it hard, but did my best;

And now I need a little rest."

This line captures a universal truth for writers and artists: the creative process can be taxing, but the effort is worth it if the audience is pleased. The poem is both a confession and a quiet reward for hard work.

Structure and Language

The poem is made up of a single stanza, with simple rhyming lines and a conversational rhythm. This mirrors the spontaneity and informality of the message. The rhyme scheme—while not rigid—gives a gentle musicality to the piece, and the deliberate pause at the end (“And so / GOOD NIGHT!”) lends dramatic, almost theatrical, closure.

The final line's capitalized “GOOD NIGHT!” emphasizes both finality and a playful flourish. It is as though the speaker is stepping off a stage with a slight bow.

Tone of Self-Awareness and Humility

Dennis’s speaker is aware of his limitations and doesn’t pretend otherwise. He doesn't boast about the quality of his work; instead, he hopes the audience is “pleased” and acknowledges that he’s done his best. This makes the poem feel modest and human, endearing the speaker to the reader.

"If you are pleased, why, that's all right."

The gentle modesty here contrasts with the grandiose or self-important tone some poets adopt. Dennis, in keeping with his style, remains grounded and approachable.

“Good Night” by C. J. Dennis is a charming farewell poem that offers a window into the fatigue and satisfaction that often follow creative work. With his signature blend of humor, humility, and warmth, Dennis turns a simple goodnight into a relatable moment of honesty between writer and reader. Though brief, the poem captures the gentle tension between effort and rest, expectation and result—a fitting close from a poet who never took himself too seriously, yet always respected the task of delighting his audience.