Evening Walk

I walked home with my books

In evening’s pastel blue

November’s chill compelled me

To hurry past the view.

Yet grey clouds stood like mountains

Beyond the city’s light,

The far off traffic winking

And autumn’s leaves in flight.

The laughter of the jackdaws

Was sweet as choir song,

But yet evening was dying

And night would not be long.

The hills were green and silent

Beneath the fading light.

The moon shone brightly, clearly,

Yet birds were still in flight.

And as I passed a stranger

Who might have been a friend,

I dipped my head to greet him –

He did not comprehend.

So on I walked, and neared my street

With orange leaves beneath my feet

And found my restlessness was lost

With weary legs the only cost.

The trees like towers, tall and wild

The night descending, daytime’s child,

I brought my eye to sky at last –

But evening had already passed.