Archive for the ‘Evenings and Nights’ Category
Above: The Original Text
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AUTHOR’S COMMENT:
I looked up at the sky tonight and thought of “islands of night sky.” So I wrote the prompt down and let it develop into a concise form.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
DECEMBER 11, 2013 COMMON ERA
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Islands of night sky
populate the ocean of clouds
above my head
on a cold night.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
DECEMBER 11, 2013 COMMON ERA
Above: Chalfont Drive, Athens, Georgia, December 8, 2013
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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On a cold, wet, and gray day,
after having attended church and
consumed the body and blood of Christ,
there did commence, I am glad to say,
a quiet, studious time, one easy to stand,
but indoors, which, I do surmise,
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was proper, given the weather.
It was a time to study and to grade,
as well as to make family history
inquiries. These quiet behaviors
near lamps were for today made,
given the outdoor cold, wet, gray misery.
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It was an indoor kind of day
on which to do little–and that
at a leisurely pace–and to consume
caffeine and well-lit to stay,
for such weather affects me bad-
ly; outside felt like doom.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
DECEMBER 8, 2013 COMMON ERA
Above: A View in Athens, Georgia, November 8, 2013
Photograph by Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Leaves litter the asphalt of the parking
spaces as a golden glow does shine
as the sun approaches its setting
once more on this day most fine.
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Many trees their colors have turned,
displaying gorgeous golden-hued leaves.
The sight of them is a grace unearned,
a wonder which mighty God weaves.
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Other trees have yet to complete this change,
so future joys of nature remain in store.
Such manifold pleasures will truly range
a variety of shades and augment the lore
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of this season this year, prompting
us to recall it fondly after it has
passed. Then the wonder of this thing
will gladden our hearts until, at last,
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the seasons turn once again to this
cooler time and nature’s encore
of autumnal splendor does us kiss
quite sweetly once more.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
NOVEMBER 8, 2013 COMMON ERA
Above: The Gray Robe of Twilight (Between 1900 and 1912), by Charles Melville Dewey (1849-1937)
Publisher and Copyright Claimant = Detroit Publishing Company
Image Source = Library of Congress
(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994023344/PP/)
Reproduction Number = LC-D416-29865
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As twilight draws her dusky curtain
In silence o’er the earth;
As stars their twinkling rays and daw
With sparkling lights of mirth,
Mankind is drawn in restful silence.
To homes of peace and love,
Where thoughts of each are giv’n full-play
From soil–to heav’n above.
The children soon are all at rest
Content with joy and fun;
The working folk are happy, too,
I know their task’s well-done.
Others in the dusk of life,
Begin anew to think
Of what this life has been to them,
For now they’re at Death’s brink.
From East and West, from North to South,
As twilight falls around,
Man’s thoughts are ever turned to God
Who made the earth, silence, and sound.
RANDOLPH WINBURN BARRETT
AUGUST 20, 1932 COMMON ERA
Above: Twilight on the Dunes, by Earl Howell Reed (1863-1931)
Image Source = Library of Congress
(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002698688/)
Reproduction Number = LC-USZ62-76602
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At the close of ev’ry day
Comes a time of peace.
Husbands go to home and wife;
Troubles end; worries cease.
Children stop their fun and play,
Mothers sit and rest,
Birds and beasts go swiftly home
To lov’d ones in their nest.
Lovers seek a quiet place
To hold their trysting hour.
All are held in rapt’rous awe
By twilight’s gentle power.
RANDOLPH WINBURN BARRETT
AUGUST 20, 1932 COMMON ERA
Above: Peach Blossoms, Between 1900 and 1906
Image Source = Library of Congress
(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994009098/PP/)
Reproduction Number = LC-D4-16304
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God’s garden is a wondrous thing,
It covers all the world.
‘Tis filled with blossoms of all kinds,
Wee birds, and flow’rs unfurled.
There are beautiful ponds all thro’ it,
Larger than any of ours;
But they’re there, and are of His making,
Objects of infinite pow’rs.
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At night He sends refreshing sleep,
Like dew upon wild flowers,
To cool and res them after day’s
Hot sun and trying hours.
With gentle, warming rays;
He sends the rain to give them drink
And food, thro’ all their days.
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God doesn’t want His gard’n abused
At any time or place;
He wants each flow’r to bloom for Himself
In beauty and with grace.
For each beautiful life, seen by all,
Helps each of us, no matter how weak;
May work in God’s garden some.
RANDOLPH WINBURN BARRETT
AUGUST 5, 1932 COMMON ERA
Above: Nocturne (1878), by James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
Image Source = Library of Congress
(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/90713302/)
Reproduction Number = LC-USZ62-100648
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When Winter’s dark’ning sky
Draws twilight to its close,
When lights glow soft and warm,
And shadows round us lie;
When fires burn bright and true,
And all within is cheer;
While joy and love await,
Then comes the night–and you.
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When birds their springtime call
Send trilling through the air;
When Spring’s first flowers bloom,
And shadows gently fall;
When stars, set in the blue,
Shine softly up above;
When breezes gently blow,
Then comes the night–and you.
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When Summer days are long,
And daylight slowly fades,
When lights first burn at dusk,
And every bird’s in song;
When sunset’s crimson hue
Is swiftly turned to gold;
When shines the moon above,
Then comes the night–and you!
RANDOLPH WINBURN BARRETT
JULY 22, 1932 COMMON ERA
