Before Dusk

An expanse before me, trees willowed and thin
The sun beyond, beckoning me in
And yet, nothing moves; no creak, no rustle
The birds chirping, without reason to tussle
A playground distant, my childhood dreams
I fear their death, torn apart at the seams

And a body lies, to my left
Alive, mummified? I ponder their rest
The cars’ mellow drive, the wind’s soft caress
They lull me to sleep, but the body on my
left–
Faceless, skin wrapped and foiled
It is nothing perhaps, my mind must be soiled–
I think, as the sun sets on the body to my left

Now it is darker, compared to some minutes’ before
The trees lose their shadows, and the glare at their fore
And I am sad, for I will see beauty no more
So I pray, and thus, am brought ashore
To a world of thanks, and blessings galore
And when my eyes open
There is beauty no more

But belay! Wait, and do not cede
For if one looks closer, they can see
The playground yet active, delight uncompared
To the darkness that settles, here, bare
A court afore me, I see players alight
With happiness as the rally takes flight
Laughs and cries yet still contrasting
To the chill that comes, the night everlasting

I sigh, and think, it is written
This is past, and with it, given:
A moment–
with the sun, golden.