The sun sinks down to an orange haze
Blurred with red and yellow
Sky blue is lighter, more faded
As if it were diluted.
The chirp of crickets rises
From a cooling ground
Slowly the orange haze grows smaller
Fighting to survive it dies.
The sky is still alight,
As if it were held by magic.
Slowly the light fades.
Soon the stars will appear
the sky getting darker and lighter.
The light of the moon reaching out
Taking more control every minute
The stars flickering like sparks
As though they may go out
A peacefulness is present
Although a disturbance is there too,
A longing for day and light
These things here described
Are the start of the night.

Lloyd McLean (1990)

This poem is from the Horses and Things collection