Silence surrounds the smouldering flame
As it sinks into a sea of burning turquoise.
Across the wide expanse it fans its rays
And on the horizon finds its poise.
A backdrop of burning blue
Scalded into coppery green
Coral clouds licked with crimson hue
Flecked with amber and golden sheen.
Jet trails sparkle and then fade into charcoal
Scoring the bold wash of pastel
While sulfurous wisps of yellow and grey
Hang superimposed then melt away.
Our ambitions and plans and excited thoughts
Hopes in the heat of the moment wrought
Like the cloud, they vanish to obscurity
Insignificant against life's bold reality.
Changing illumination renews its wonder
Causing each gilt edged feature to shine
The colours deepen into a molten splendour
While the fire intensifies as it dies.
As I wonder at this vast display
The subtle change takes my breath away
The expansive love of God's own heart
Requires reflection, not a fleeting glance.
The last light of the longest day fades
And the land withdraws into shadowy stillness
The embers smoulder and ebb away
As the first bright star rises into the velvety darkness.
The fire of life burns with youthful zeal
But passing glory soon loses its appeal
Eventually the darkness will come creeping in
But there is another light which shines within.
Still warm and graced by a gentle breeze
The dusky evening now slips by
And the river winds its way with ease
While birds fly home across the western sky.
We all will come to that place in the west
Where at last we will find our rest
But far beyond the setting sun
Eternal day has just begun.
This earthly day has come to its close
No light in which to pass the hours
But just as the evening star arose
So shines a brighter sun than ours.
Joe Morriss
21st June 2010
Dedicated to the memory of Mr David Williams - a man with a heart for the next generation.
