There have been times at the sea’s edge when I
Could read no difference ‘twixt brine and sky —
When colors merged into a common hue
From blazing red into a wind–blown blue:
When clouds that climbed high in the firmament
Were bladed through with golden shafts — a tent
Of radiance: a bright cascade of light
Dramatic herald of a stormy night
All fulminating in a dazzling glow
Of light celestial — a gloried show
Before fast Phoebus, finishing day’s reign
Gives one last smile — then is he gone again —
As night comes down, oh, soft–as–velvet night
That settles with the absence of the light.

October 16th 2002
Chez nous Nelson