June Afterglow

Fair over all the land the level light

Streamed from the west and swept the valley floor,

Casting no shadows, but with wide embrace

Compassed each tree and clothed it for the night

With a pure robe of silk that, from the shore

To where the hills lifted their heads in space,

Spread fold on fold.  A sense of calm delight,

Ethereal and chaste, thrilled to the core

One who gazed there and felt the hand of grace

Easing the fret and putting care to flight.

Too soon, too soon by palpable degrees

The glory faded and the world grew thrawn

Aging to night.  Yet far beyond the trees

Already glimmering east proclaimed the dawn.

 

Weekly Times     22.6.62