(sonnet #'s CCXI, CCXII, CCXIII)
# I
The sun descended with no fanfare, bright
Red sphere in hazy gray; a balmy eve
Whose only romance was her flaming leave:
That brilliant scarlet quite intrigued as night
So softly veiled the shades of day; the light
Nigh gently faded, subtle to percieve,
As deep'ning verdant tones it did bereave
Of colour in its velvet sable sleight.
The lunar crescent hov'ring o'er the rim
As darkness settled glowed a cur'ous gold;
Tinged slightly crimson as if mourning, dim
Reminder of her passing to behold;
A haunting tribute to day's loss, the trim
This sultry ev'ning I'd explore, thus told.
# II
This sultry ev'ning's oddness I'd explore,
Bereft of usual favours, 'cepting song;
No peach-hued cloud puffs blushing pink along
The eastern sky, nor purple tones before
Unfailing grey its triumph made, to shore
Love's dear inclinings, nay; nor dewy throng
To comfort hot bare feet; just touch ne'er strong
Of moisture, where it hung in air e'ermore.
Yet frogs in noisy welcome serenade
With cricket retinue gave summer cheer
As night fell, sweet'ning it. And thus they played
As haze hid stars, save few which twinkled here
Or there, the crew behind the curtain's shade
Unseen, "delight of sailors" seeming drear.
# III
The sailor's glad delight of "red at night"
Seems drear in balmy o'ercast ev'ning hues.
While crickets sweetly cheer, do frogs sing blues?
Or how now reconcile the muggy plight?
In velvet darkness lunar 'scapes chill white
Enchants none, since the clouds hide such dear views;
Sleep beckons seems, witheld by wond'ring muse,
As morrow might relief bring with its sight.
This morning had the beauty in some fair
Peach off-white cotton puffs suspended in
Soft blue sky, floating silent although rare,
Since haze took o'er them ere long. Day did spin
A hot one with gold moments in its care,
Concluding nearly as it did begin.
02Sep11