The Building of Light

Mauve mist-shadow cloaks the sky’s River-blurred, inchoate border. Dawn’s old story; and light tries— Not the last time—to devise Lasting order; From first principles assigns Laws to frame day’s jurisdiction; Drawing contours, shapes, and lines From the nebula, it shines, Strange as fiction. Such designs, though, won’t appear In the plans of a committee. Look. The moon’s pale-copper sphere Rings—a gong too faint to hear— Through the city. Let them linger, unawake. Down the mountain’s wrinkled brilliance Darkness empties like a lake. Minted gold, house windows make Coins worth millions. Both in disbelief and pride All the buildings in the distance On the river’s farther side Take up, as the shadows slide, New existence. Shadow slides along the roof, Past the guttering and gable, Shrinks, and leaves the house aloof Where the light reads out its proof Like a fable.