nightfall

and in the distance, hovering,
a phosphorizing glow,
luminescent trails
seen to shimmer,
seen to flow,
all around the end of day,
at summer's twilight ending,
by the edge of evening cooling
where stars like fish are schooling:
when the moon glides up
from bedtime clouds
like a silent ship of night
or an ebon feathered shadowbird
heavy winged in flight,
so night times twisted tale is spent
and mornings light still bides
a multitude of dreamers
yet sleep while long night slides.

1975