Sunset

Beautiful.

First you hardly notice it happening

The colors quicken

The sky burns with reds and orange and yellows

The shadows lengthen

The white snow is blue in shadow

There is a pause

Inextricably darker now

Lights come on, colors mute

Voices hushed agains the chill

The wind stops, changes direction, begins again

The stars would appear save from the clouds that have rolled in

Fumbling the glasses & plates are carried in

Where had the time gone

The ides of transition

Stack the firewood
preserve the vegetables
select the books
listen to the birds
review the history
hold your breath
as snow falls
wind blows from the north
hold tight to the voices
the world shifts under your seat
everywhere erupts all at once
memories don’t light the path