Sunday, July 23, 2006

Near Night Moment
By Don Iannone

The sunset bleeds a delicate rainbow
of oranges, yellows, pinks, and reds
across the fading blue summer Arizona sky.
Just barely within ear shot,
the first coyote yelps in approval
of the melting pastel masterpiece.
His voice, like the moment holding it,
follows the wind and the sun into the west,
where all are swallowed by the hungry night.
Dark edges form along the tree tops,
haunting them with secrets
that the night will hide until morning.
A slight breeze gathers out of nowhere,
carrying the scent of wild sage and sweet acacia,
stinging our noses with pleasure.
Daybreak will bring an even more spectacular sunrise,
but my heart longs to hold this near-night moment forever.

18 comments:

Kathleen said...

Wow Don... I was transported to that moment... lovely! Rich descriptions... very nice....

(you can have my glass of wine...!)

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Kathleen. Not a bad place to be transported to. I accept your offer of the glass of wine. It is Friday after all.

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Kai.

Kathy Trejo said...

You paint beautiful scenery with your words! Thanks Don!

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

The last line says it all! Well done--

rauf said...

Don, Your words are like brush strokes of Bierstadt.

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

That’s quite a compliment Rauf. Thank you.Blessings,

Thanks Kathy. So kind.

Thanks Andrew. There was a struggle with this poem in how to end it. Of course, that is often the case with poetry.

dumbdodi said...

You nailed it with 'near-night moment forever'. How beautiful...how do you write...do you dip your pen in honey...there is so much sweetness in your poetry...

Bob said...

This is really powerful. Excellent.

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Dumbdodi...no honey here just a vivid imagination.

Thanks Rob. There is always power in the slightest hint of beauty.

Mike said...

So many great lines to comment upon, so I'll choose this one "the first coyote yelps in approval / of the melting pastel masterpiece." In addition to the wonderful imagery & action in this pair of lines, I like the alliterative p's.

Dan said...

Yes!

floots said...

beautiful

loved "a melting pastel masterpiece"

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Mike...you are VERY observant. I didn't intend the alternating m's and p's. Nice observation.

Thanks Dan. Glad to have you back.

Floots...thanks. Seems Mike liked the same line. Interesting.

polona said...

beautiful! so vivid... and a powerful ending...
i, too, love "...the first coyote yelps in approval
of the melting pastel masterpiece"

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Polona. Well it seems that the award in this poem goes to Mr. Coyote. How funny.

CE said...

This is observing and experiencing at its best and its utmost.

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Hey Imemine...thank you. Just seeing what appears and accepting it.

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