EVENTIDE
                  by 
         Gwen Austin
         Copyright May 25, 2000

I loved family evenings on the porch,
mezmorized by goldening sun painting ethereal clouds,
silhouetting hills blue, purple, black,
creating magical alpenglow,
until night shadows stole all light
save dark valley's twinkling houses 
and winking car-lights.
Whippoorwill's nostalgic call,
quavering whistle of riverside train,
crickets' serenade, tree frogs' refrain
orchestrated eventide's blanketing fall.
Peace enfolded all--
until wasp on door handle
harbingered life's lurking stings.

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