While the poem doesn't directly state a specific time, the "witching hour" is typically associated with the hours between midnight and dawn, a time often linked to mystery, fear, and supernatural occurrences.
In this poem, the "witching hour" signifies the time when the speaker's longing for her beloved becomes most intense and overwhelming. This is the time when she feels most vulnerable and exposed, and her pain is amplified.
Here's how the "witching hour" is described in the poem:
> *"And when the night comes and the moon is high / I lift my heart unto the silent stars / And pray for strength to see another day / Before the witching hour steals my peace."*
The phrase "before the witching hour steals my peace" suggests that the speaker's peace of mind is fragile and easily shattered by the intensity of her emotions, particularly during the night. The "witching hour" is a time when her longing becomes unbearable, threatening to consume her completely.
The use of the "witching hour" is a powerful metaphor that highlights the emotional turmoil the speaker experiences. It emphasizes the agonizing nature of unrequited love and the vulnerability she feels in the face of her unfulfilled desires.