Sundowns, Mom, And Edward Poem by Christian Carbone

This feeling started coming
to me after you passed
I don't have a definite idea of
why it began
you never really had a predilection
for sundowns that
I can remember but there is something
about that time of day
especially in California, a kind of silence
that hints of anticipation for
the night to come, a probing profoundness

I believe the inception may be from
my childhood, when I played
sports you brought me and watched
baseball, football, basketball
Sometimes the games would end around
sunset in spring or summer
Parents gathering their kids, along with various
pieces of equipment
I wasn't tall or overly skilled
but I tried to will my way to
a success of sorts, some kind of pride
and you were there
watching my back, making sure I was
enjoying the challenge

Later, when I discovered the art
of Edward Hopper I was flattened
by his skill, his work so longingly
emotive so distant but
personal his use of shade and light
breathtaking and heartbreaking
at the same time

So, maybe this is why these moments
make me ponder
I don't think I ever told you what it meant
having you there
watching your son scramble I know
it makes me proud and sad
now especially when the shadows begin
their unveiling