Sunset

The title says it all, really...

Sunset

The wind howls softly, in the coming twilight, 

As it caresses the leaves of the coconut palms

That dot the coastline and the beach, 

As I watch from afar. 

The skies turn ever red, 

Violently colouring the darkening skies, 

As the sun begins its descent

Towards the western horizon. 

Red, orange, gold, aspen, 

The colours fill the open skies, 

Like long streaks of paint

Added with the loving hand of a master. 

The skies start to turn lighter blue now, 

As the coming night sets in. 

More lights fill the skies now, 

The lamps that illuminate the park, 

As well as the lights

Coming from the nearby shipyards and docks.

The vibrant hues still fill the air, 

Now darkening at the sides, 

From red to a deep, dark blue,

A perfect background

For the couples that watch this sight

As they hold each other tenderly,

For the friends that watch this

As they set up their barbeque pits,

For the families that watch this and marvel, 

As they set up their tents for the night,

For the islands in the distance, 

As the fading light shrouds them in mystery and intrigue, 

And for the kelongs nearby, 

As the sea laps against their wooden stilts,

And the light illuminates the far side 

Of their rooftops. 

It's getting late now. 

I should get home.

And as I walk back, 

The colours seem to recede with me,

Eventually dwindling to a deep violet, 

A perfect frame for the entire magnificent spectacle

Yet so overlooked by everyone else. 

Author's Note

A kelong (pronounced kay-long) is a wooden house on stilts located in the middle of rivers or a short distance away from the coast, found throughout Southeast Asia. A kelong is normally not found on its own, as several are often clustered together.

Reviews

[Dinesh Sairam]

Such a descriptive and captivate poem. The imagery unfolds in a slow fashion before the readers' eyes. So beautiful. One thing - I felt you shouldn't have used

"It's getting late now.
I should get home."

It'd been better if you'd ended it in a dreamy haze.

[A.Lee]

This is beautiful. I like the way you described each color. Anyone who's ever sat and watched the sunset knows how enchanting it is, and awe-striking, to see the colors change one after the other as the day ends. Such a peaceful way to end even the most stressful day. Nature has so much to offer us if we take the time to look for it.

"A perfect frame for the entire magnificent spectacle
Yet so overlooked by everyone else. "

Great work.

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

you utilize shades and colors to set the tranquil atmosphere beautifully~

[Coyote Poetry]

A beautiful poem. I love to spend time watching the sun fall into the west. Create a feeling of peace and calm. I like the description in your words. A wise person appreciate the beauty of nature gifts and friendship. A excellent poem.
Coyote