Evening Observations

The sky darkens

So gradually

I scarcely realise

Until suddenly it’s night

 

Now I sit

At the top of this hill

On a bench

That faces the open skyline

And watch the cows

That wander in the dark

 

One bends its knees

And sinks into

The faintly shining grass

Its bulk silhouetted

Against the floodlights

From the tennis courts

At the bottom of the hill

 

The hairs along its back

Are picked out in silver

Like a faintly

Glowing aura

As it chews loudly

A string of

Shining spittle

Hanging from thick lips

 

Further down the slope

Two horses

Meander

Gleaming gold tails

Flicking and swishing

Against polished

Flanks

While soft lips

Tear at grass

And dark eyes

Hide beneath hooded lids

 

Behind me stretches a road

Disappearing into

Obscurity

To both

Left and right

As it winds down

Into town

And into forest

 

Forest that looms behind

Ominously

Like a premonition

Of death

 

The wind sighs

In the leaves

As though with a weariness

Too ancient

For human understanding

As I stare up into

Dark branches

And I feel suddenly

Like a child

Among condescending

Adults

 

Around me swoop bats

Electric quick

As they hunt their prey

In the near blackness

Their voices

High-pitched squeaks

Barely low enough

To hear

As their soft wings

Whisper

 

So different in sound

To the heavy winged

Flap

Of the three crows

That wander idly across

The lighter slither

Of sky

Above the horizon

 

 

I breathe a sigh

Into the dark

 

And continue with my

Evening observations

 

Reviews

[Beatrice Mars]

Would just like to renew my love for this, and my want to go there again!

[Eira Anchor]

bats? the bench isn't like this!
bats??

[Beatrice Mars]

wow, you got it perfect, love this, love that place :P xx :D

[John_Cox]

That is just amazing and beautifully descriptive. I felt I could see everythihng exactly as it happened. You're an amazing poet with a dead certain gift for description.