Sunset in Silver and Black
Windwires and fibrillating larksong
over John’s Hill –
Veiled orb silvers leaves, draws colour
from charcoal bands striping pale fields,
dazzles on distant sea spread low
far down beneath the hazy wrinkled plain.
Wingflashing lark
rises on the up-beat.
Glint of drowned valleys fades
to overlay of shadow wash.
Inland it’s clear. Mountain clefts
bleed black and sinuous.
All the silvered surfaces
of pleasure lake and window shine
fade to darkening memories
of dark feet winding up dark valleys,
nevermore emerging where the valleys meet.
Lark quivers to the gentle grass.
Down in the meeting place
mopoke wakes to this night’s mourning.
(First published 1983)