A New Day

By John Herlihy

The surprising thing about dawn

Is that the dawn is still so dark.

The earth still thinks it as night

And listens to the hush, hark.

A line of light at earth’s edge,

A rainbow as the day’s pledge.

Even the wind knows only to whisper,

Silence prevails as the dawn’s sister.

All creatures great and small awaken,

The night creatures retreat, forsaken.

The heart of the night takes its leave,

As it tucks the darkness up its sleeve.

As the light descends, a bird’s first call,

Announcing the new day, singing in thrall.

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(c) John Herlihy December 2018