Evening

under a clear sky-
if only this cloud of gnats
would leave me in peace
–
venus rising-
our picnic blanket
wet with dew

sleep winds through the trees-
a woodland lullaby of
peepers and croakers
–
a veil of clouds-
crickets and frogs
escort the moon

ephemeral rain-
bird songs echo from the trees
in the fading light
–
twilight-
a grove
of amber

slowly fading coals-
the clink of empty bottles
being put to bed
–
indigo sky-
crickets singing
around the campfire

lighting up the sky-
the glow of paper lanterns
adrift in the night
–
evening stroll-
the dance
of fireflies

sunset through the trees
one final glory beneath
the coming of night
–
rising shadows-
silhouettes against
the dusky sky

ghost of summer’s sun
ring tailed bandits in the night
making such mischief
–
october sky
arcturus settles in
to the throne of the king

burnt umber thickets
briars silhouetted by
a russet sunset
–
brambles
illuminated by
the dying day