Twilight was the time of day
as well they do concur
about the hour of crepuscular dusk
or evening if you prefer
there in the gloaming
altho' the light was slightly dimmer
I took a look at the situation
and saw more than quite a glimmer
of absolute absurdity the altercation confrontation
as if every nation were to follow the Law
of Exact Retaliation an eye for an eye
we'd all be sightless both you and I
or Reciprocal Justice a tooth for a tooth
for in truth me and you'd
have nothing at all with which to chew
and all done in the name of what
I'll only surmise
it's just for man to prove he can
if so it could be our demise
as we would find
unable to feed we'd go hungry
while the blind lead the blind
lost in the gloaming
not one star glimmers . . .
the trembling trees
The Gloaming
In the gloaming,
Light fades and shapes lose their edge,
Uncertainty creeps in.
In the gloaming,
Leaves whisper and owls cry,
What can’t I hear.
burnt-orange clouds
converge
over the horizon.
starlings
in the thousands,
black against the gloaming sky....
^|^ flying ^|^
in dazzling synchronicity...
what awe-inspiring view!
comfortably sinking
into nature's seat,
I fully recline, watching...
Sponsor Mark Toney
Contest Name 2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 3
The day is done. Travel dispersed, no more roaming.
Between dusk and sunset, it’s the gloaming.
I settle to watch, inspired by that instant moment,
When day gives over to night a regal bestowment.
Lights begin to shimmer, as we near twilight.
Across the horizon created a radiant glow so bright.
This magical moment captured with a deep ruby hue.
Detailing an exquisite hefty crimson etched in view.
Streams of color blend seamlessly in swirls of delight.
Heavily embossed across the faded sky, birds in flight.
Sunset’s glowing color of crimson and gold,
As night’s velvety blanket begins to unfold.
Whispers of a breeze wafting gently, flickers a scent.
Evokes aromatic bursts, sensual yet earthy by intent.
With a sweetness, and a warm tranquil overtone.
I am nestled snugly, captivated by joy I've never known.
Capturing my imagination of a candle in glorious blaze,
My breath extinguishing it to create the dark night haze.
The air is heavy with haze
It's time for the sun to set
God's creation does amaze
Each sunset not to forget
Pink and purple light the sky
Steel-grey clouds add to the dye
Songbirds to their nest, they fly
The orange orb descends slow
Earth ablaze in final glow
Moon rising in soft shadow
The sea shimmers in bright glaze
God paints this gloaming vignette
A range of hues meets the eye
Nothing beats this stunning show
(7 syllables per line)
13th February 2023
For "Fragmented Rhyme" contest
Sponsor: Emile Pinet
The Chalice of Night pours dark on the stair
drops of shadows that don't belong there.
Echoes of footsteps--do they signal harm?
Whispers in bushes that push our alarm.
We know spirits like to do their roaming
in quiet darkness or amid murky gloaming.
We feel their breath as it tickles our ear;
murmuring softly, they arouse more fear.
Walking alone on a deserted lane
in dark night, footfalls I cannot explain.
Is that just a bush, or something unknown?
can it be paper, or a silk kerchief shown?
Reading alone by mere lamp flame,
I hear someone whisper my name.
A step on the stair, a brush of air,
I wonder if Night is creeping in there.
At night, it's best to sit outside by fire,
gaze at stars' wonder to our heart's desire.
Release our dark fears to nightfall instead,
and leave expired mortals entirely dead!
January 19, 2022
Gliding orb
Gilding the crepuscule with glitter
Holding the attention of spectators in spectacular fashion
Exuding exuberance in goodbye to gloaming
Excerpt from "Crepuscular Crescendo"
11.07.2021
For Gregory Richard Barden's "Liberum Divisa 8" contest
The sun dips below
the horizon on the sea,
as the dusk appears.
Up swings the green, down showeres the rose.
Hugging the horizon are mixed hues,
Where sedate tenebrosity, the fine foliage's spews,
Seamlessly mingles with the serene sunset's afterglows.
Eyeing their osculation at ease,
Brewing bosom bracing breeze,
----Bracing breeze, as me, at ease----
I wish us together saying cheese.
Although we're isolated in our homes
We still take leisurely drives in the gloamin'
Absolutely no contact
It's in the contract
No matter how far away from home we roam
You can always tell a British ghost
Because they all lived on beans and toast
No chill in the air
Could ever compare
With tell-tail fumes that float to the coast!
This mystic time the poets call the gloaming,
A lingering salute to end of day,
Comes long enough to usher in the nighttime
And welcome in the moon and star display.
written 7/18/19
For Arbitrium Divisa 3 poetry contest
Sponsor Gregory E. Barden
Taken from my poem "Twilight" Posted March 21 2005
Twilight
The time of day to power a poet's fancy,
Are those short moments between day and night,
When rosy glows streak in the west horizon.
That lovely interlude we call twilight.
Somewhere between the daylight and the darkness,
The remnants of the sun still hanging there.
Erasing heavy burdens of the daytime,
Removing all the weariness and care.
The mystic time the poets call the gloaming,
This lingering salute to end of day,
Comes lonr enough to usher in the nightfall
And welcome in the moon and stars display.
The half-light often brings quixotic dreaming,
Even lulling birds and beasts to quietude.
This respite is God's gift for lonely spirits,
Bestowed on them to bless their solitude.
By Joyce
As mother Earth starts to close her weary eyes to sleep
The setting sun on the horizon slowly drowns in melancholy
Yet another day, almost over. And twilight is nigh
Date written and posted: 02/10/2019
In the stray lavender of twilight
as cactis' spindled obelisks
brush spreading lapis sky
a honeyed sun
holds tight
to desert crags
for a last glimpse
of fulgid sage
and adobe rainbow dwellings
sprawled in the valley.
I await the candle moon's
flickering smile
shining in gully water
and darts of starlight
glowing in my arid dreams.
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