The day’s end copper colours flee the sun, away from hidden light,
and ripple through the lonely lake, arrive to kiss my anchored boat,
while burnishing the evening water: golden tints before the night.

A shadow paints the conifers in emerald and malachite,
then shuffles off and fades away to darkness, just a passing note
of solitude, as last rays linger, flicker out in faded flight.

I leave this world of cryptic shadows, taking with me my delight
of dusky rainbow peace that rode the waves to where I lay afloat.
This day had been an antidote to lassitude. Now all was right.
 

                                   5 April 2024