End Of Day Poem by Barry Middleton

horizontal rays of light
illuminate the stolid trees
swaying in a gentle breeze

a setting sun speaks of fate
and I can see the dark to come
for you and me and everyone

a breeze declares the hour late
prayer or hope cannot defeat
the end of day and self deceit

the harbinger of heavy night
impassive to my futile pleas
cannot bring me to my knees

but I will bow as if contrite
imagination to appease
and justify its cruel decrees

then I accept the final hour
as I accept my final plight
and softly step into the night