Close of the Day

Sitting watching the night slip in and steel the day.

Ten o'clock at night;

the sky is still July blue,

it is clear

but for a few ack ack clouds

drifting across the horizon

like smoke.

 

Surreptitiously the moon

begins to suck the light

from the earth,

slowly and almost

imperceptibly

changing blues

flecked with

tinges of pink

into more muted

hues.

 

Gradual fade to grey

as silhouetted trees

now take on a more sinister

appearance, their

dark and foreboding,

fingers pointing

at the errant heavens.

 

The garden is now

a shadow place,

devoid of every colour

other than black

as hedges rise up

in dark cloak walls.

 

Silence returns

to my kingdom

as even the sleeping birds

of dawn keep their peace,

the clock ticks

like running water,

monotonous in its

nursery rhyme,

melody.

 

Soon I will be abed too

as my eyes become heavy

with the weariness

the demands of the day

have etched

into my skull.

 

01/07/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful description of the on-coming night. I like dust, watching the sun fall into the sea. Thank you John for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Coyote John. Many thank yous!

[kentuck14]

John, An absolutely beautiful poem!! You are at your best with such glorious visioning!!!
T

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I guess it is like that quiz programme on UK TV the strap line of which is 'say what you see'. Many thank yous Tom.

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

Indubitably true.
You really described it so well.
I like the way you arranged your words, and the settings was quite great.
Not everyone notice this event but thank you for calling our attention to such a beautiful awareness of a night that slowly lull us to bed with it's mesmerizing visions and it's soundless lullabies.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Kay for such a poetic review!

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

It's my pleasure...

[Chris Shaw]

I always find that trees can become scary at night too. Pleased I'm not the only one. A beautiful and descriptive write John about day fading into the stillness and quiet of night. A most calming read.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Chris. It can be just as peaceful and enjoyable as watching dawn creeping in.

[Chris Shaw]

I agree and good morning to you.

[John the Baptist]

Very nice description of the encroachment of night, almost like watching a time lapse film. Very nice imagery. I did not know, however, that the sky could still be blue at 10 PM in the UK.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed it was blue as I sat and wrote it and watched the blues and pinks grey and grey and the shadows arise from the soft foliage of the hazel bush. Many thanks JTB.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what you describe is so true...as daylight diminishes there is a certain eeriness and yet once the night falls completely upon us...there is a peaceful feeling about it...
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Exactly that Jacob. We live in a semi-rural (for England)spot and the peace at both ends of the day is such a joy to behold if one takes the time to do so. Many thank yous Jacob.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I love your analogy of the silhouetted trees, taking on a sinister look, with their "fingers" pointing to heaven. It really does seem like the night is a thief, and the brilliance of a sunset is the day's way of putting up a fight. Fabulous piece, john!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you dear Kelly.