The Golden Afternoon

The Golden Afternoon

It is that golden time of day
In the stillness of late afternoon
When the sun begins to melt away
And remind us it will be dark soon

It is a time of golden sheen
Of birdsong through the breathless hush
When trees reflect a golden green
And shadows grow intense and lush

It is a time of golden haze
As the liquid sun pours ever down
To fill the horizon of the day
With glorious but short-lived crown

Into the dazzling sunset burst
Those of wings and feathers flock
Homeward to each lonesome perch
As wave-tossed boats return to dock

It swiftly cools as darkness falls
Majestic skies fade into grey
Until the golden glow has gone
Signalling the end of day

The golden afternoon has gone
In twilight stillness evening creeps
The sun replaced by silver moon
And the world turns in, and sleeps