breathing in the dusk

bonfire permeates failing light
on this humid August night
midges cloud the air in flight
amassing as they dance and bite

the ghostly moon yet to rise
haunts the pale indigo skies
a rook upon a wire cries
failing breath as summer dies

heavy mist on stubbled corn
scarecrow’s jacket ripped and torn
path to orchard frayed and worn
twilight bleeds across the lawn

a bat glides silent from the trees
upon a warm uplifting breeze
an owl swoops and hopes to seize
something in the hedgerow flees

we sit and watch the darkness fall
until it chokes and smothers all
the natterjacks begin to call
from the dusk a night will crawl

lanterns lit to guide the way
back to the cottage veiled in grey
leaving midnight to the fey
the ending of a summers day