August Nocturne

Over the earth seeps a somnolent sea

Washing the colours of day from the lea

Tucking the hollows and hills out of view

Beneath a blanket of dust-scented dew

Turning bright tincture to deep blue and gray

Brushing the world outside windows away

Snuffing last rays of daylight like a spark

Crescent moon hangs like a smile in the dark

Cricket song wafts; vibrating staccato

The night is soft like a black velvet throw

The heart is torn as dusk oozes away

For every night summer loses a day

Gathered like sheaves into Bygone’s vast bin

Until the harvest of August is in

Weaning the sedge of its sheen, green and blithe

Keening the edge of Has Been like a scythe

Stars froth the night like a grand Mystery

Big dipper held by a Hand we can’t see

All that we know off by heart disappears

Though night's artist is unchanged through the years

Dipping his brush into ebony stream

Painting his pictures while well-wishers dream

Tossing across every meadow and lawn

Diamonds to dazzle the dreamers at dawn

© Janet Martin