Last Light of Evening

By John Herlihy

The last light of evening

Seeps ever so slowly away.

The last hint of the twilight

A few moments left to stay.

The last stroke of sunlight’s wand,

The world on its knees to pray.

The last brush of color on the pond,

To keep the darkness at bay.

The darkness creeps in on all fours,

Closed to autumn’s night, the village doors.

Careful to mention those ancient smells,

That express more than any history tells.

Forget not the lilac and pungent thyme,

The nose awash in the fragrance of pine.

As the light fades, fragrance will linger,

To thrill the mind with a touch of its finger.

The air flows fresh thru my windowpane,

To bring with it a faint hint of rain.

The last light of the evening forsaken,

The first light of night has overtaken.

Darkness and light reflecting romance,

In the whirl of shadows a subtle dance.

The light of evening bids the day goodbye,

The light of the moon utters its first sigh.