DARKNESS BEFORE DUSK

On the cold hard stone bench she sat
A silhouette in the twilight
Listening for the sound
Of the slow, secret steps
As the night spread its shroud
And put the day to sleep.

She always loved the dusk
That set the world in tender glow
Put silver on the grass and leaves
And told the birds it was time to rest.
It always came with a magic wand
That lent daintiness to the dirtiest ditch.

But today-
She saw only the shadows
Longing for darkness.
She knew the time had come for her
The dusk of life was not for her.

Not for her the eventide
To see the smiles and tears of noon
Take colours and become
Fond dreams of the past.

She watched the trees take monstrous shapes
And mingle with the night.
With heavy heart she turned away
And lo!
She saw the hidden glow behind the hills
That told of light and hope beyond.

[I wrote this when I heard the news of a young and brilliant student of mine dying of leukemia. She had been an old student but had made for herself a place in my heart with her sparkling youth and brilliance. She died in the United States.]