The Close of the Sunset
by
Nathanael Smith

Constant, though slow
  The closing of the daisy
    at close of day
  Each petal dying, one by one
    Hanging on for but the fraction of a moment
      then they fall
        Every one, each
      All

The setting sun on spiralling petals
  Spiralling gently down
    Until they rest beneath the moon
  On the forever grass and
    conqueror dust and worm
      Evening falls on this past
    The moon, the shining sliver
      seems to pause
        A second of infinity passes
    The shard continues to glide
      across the sky

The moon, the kindly omen warns
  that though the sun has set
    there are still friends
  Separated for only an instant
    until morning rises with the
      million rising birds

  Life begins afresh, unexplored