Night Across the Pond

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["Night Across the Pond" was written especially for my first poetry chapbook, The Lady in the Pink Hat, Candor Press, 1969.]

Then crept night across the pond Casting shadows on greying Weatherboard; like sullen ghosts Those leafless talons grasping Stretching like dying fibrous fingers Still the pond chilled and trapped Caught those splinters of the moon And thrust them like sparks From a struggling ember Until the warmth was smothered And the shadows crept back Toward the dawn. FIRST PLACE WINNER Brian Strand's "All Yours" Contest

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/15/2021 7:49:00 PM

Wow. What a chilling effect those 'leafless talons' have on me reading this. Powerful imagery. Superb poesy, Milt, methinks. If I were younger, I might not sleep tonight. Bravo, Gershon

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/15/2021 7:53:00 PM

Hope you don't live at the edge of a pond. This particular pond was behind a parsonage where I lived, and I recall watching the moonlight steal across the pond. The water looked black. When the moon was high, it reflected, casting those sparks. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I'm glad it had an impact on you, Gershon. It was probably written before you were born!!!!