Day dallies before night,
languorous not angry.
No streaks of orange-red.
No temper tantrum flares.
No sinking glaring half-orb
stamping her rays.
This evening she dabbles,
pastel palette en plein aire.
Blushing, she rouges blue sky.
Sun butter yellows upon her brush,
delicately blend into rosey hues.
Bending closer, stroking more,
soft kisses touch ocean calm
till violet hues meld into scene.
She pauses quietly in her beauty,
then softly fades farewell.
Originally published a number of years ago. Publishing again today as we return to Boston. Instead of our usual two weeks, with walks into town to meander galleries, shops and eat at restaurants, in this age of Covid, we spent just 8 days in hibernation at our rental by the ocean. But, Provincetown, even without all the hoopla and town attractions, never disappoints.
Sunset photos taken in Provincetown, at the very tip of Cape Cod. No photoshopping; no edits. Just pointed my phone and clicked. Breathtaking evening as you can see. Easy to understand why artists and poets (including Mary Oliver) flock to Provincetown.
lillian the home poet 
I love your metaphor in this poem and the sound of these lines: “This evening she dabbles,pastel palette en plein aire.” The photos are breathtaking.
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Thank you! Provincetown is a magical place!
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Your poem was an absolute vision to read, all the beautiful images, all the vivid colors. And the photos! Oh, just stunning.
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Thank you, Jade. It is indeed an artist’s muse! 🙂
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what a beautiful capture of the scene and mood… so palpable
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Thank you, Claudia. So glad you enjoyed!
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Delicately tinted verse Lillian that captures the scene perfectly.
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When you look at the untouched photos, you can see why artists flock to Provincetown!
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Nice perspective of the sunset as “languorous not angry”. Also beautiful photos. I like how those objects in the water accentuate the difference between sky and water.
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Ah Frank . . . thank you for recognizing two of the subtleties of the post 🙂
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Your description is exquisite, Lilian – your words, like the artist’s brush, creating such beauty.
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Thank you! Every year, I am enthralled by the natural beauty of this place. Even on the grey days, there is a unique appeal.
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What they said–your poetics are a painting, your photos are poetic. It was so nice of you to share with us this special place; you really nailed a sense of place and sunset and September.
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Thank you, Glenn! Arrived home late Saturday to our city life – special also – but I do miss the ocean and the unobstructed views of sunrise and sunset! 🙂
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Lovely photos and words Lillian. Thank you for sharing them both.
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So glad you enjoyed! Happy to take folks to Provincetown with my words.
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Yes, I did!
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All those colors… like a painting and a great farewell… you have to say goodbye at sunset I think.
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I agree — goodbye to that particular day….and goodbye to this year’s serenity by the ocean.
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Your poem works well with your beautiful photos. What a wonderrful sunset to experiencee.
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Thank you, Suzanne. It was truly amazing! 🙂
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Such gorgeous photos Lillian. I wish I could live by the ocean. the sunsets are truly amazing and your words are wonderful. Ekphrastic poetry at its best. Describe the sunset again for me.
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So glad you enjoyed and thank you for the wonderful comment here. Truly appreciated. We do treasure our annual two weeks by the ocean in Provincetown. Quite special to be lulled to sleep by those lapping waves.
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Yes it is. Brad always gets amused when we go to the Beach and I leave the hotel room sliding door open just enough to be able to hear those waves.
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A lovely passage through the day. I’m partial to the quiet before the fade!
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Ah yes — “she softly fades farewell” rather than she bades farewell. And that’s how it really is with a beautiful sunset…it evolves, slowly changes its colors, and then just as slowly fades into darkness.
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The great photography makes the verse almost redundant, & vice versa. Lovely evocation x 2.
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Thank you! The sunset and the photos of it the next morning, motivated the words for the poem. I kept reading it without the photos, to insure the poem “stood alone” as well. Glad you enjoyed both!
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Such a beautiful painting (and photos) of words specially:
she dabbles,
pastel palette en plein aire.
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Ah, thank you Grace. Walking the beach in Provincetown, there are always artists with their easels, standing in the sand, painting the scenes. 🙂
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Beautiful imagery and lovely images.
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Thank you! So glad you enjoyed. 🙂
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Lovely poem and photos! “Blushing, she rouges blue sky.” What an image!
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Ah….thanks for the comment on that particular line — I really wrestled with that wording until the personification came through. 🙂
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The entire poem is gorgeous, but that line…. that line…
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I really like the way the poem fits so well with the photos you posted. I saw this same pastel sky and it blush of orange painting the clouds at setting sun. So beautiful. Sadly,I did not get a picture.
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During our two annual weeks in Provincetown, I am always up before dawn, with phone in hand for photos. And also have the phone close by for the setting sun as well! 🙂
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I never tire of photographing sunsets. Those are beauties, Lil. I like the contrasts in your poem from fiery tantrums to peaceful hues.
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I agree Mish. During our two annual weeks in Provincetown, I am always up at the crack of dawn, on our deck, to catch the sunrise….and most nights, back out there again for the sunsets. Funny, other sunsets during our time this year includes streaks of red and orange…this one was like a soft impressionist painting…and thus came the idea of the personification with angry to blushing and being more demure instead. So glad you enjoyed!
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I love this personification and her elegant beauty. So tender, tranquil and touching. And what to speak of the breathtaking photos!!
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Thank you, Sumana. It truly was a beautiful evening sunset – like an impressionist painting! 🙂 And tranquil indeed.
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The photographer being a poet surely captured something extra special! Aren’t we lucky to be able to twice enjoy beauty? Once in the existing manifestation and second in the passing memory?
Thank you for sharing that changing sky…
Like kanzensakura said, this is ekphrastic poetry at its best.
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Thank you so very much for your lovely comment here. Truly appreciated. Oh yes….that is the wonder of photographs – of people, of occasions, of sunsets….we can enjoy them again and again. 🙂
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Beautiful words match those stunning photos.
Yes, ekphrastic poetry.
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May I admit something here? 🙂 I had to look up the word “ekphrastic” when it first appeared in a comment about this poem. The proof is in the pudding so to say — and I always say I am continually learning at dVerse!
Glad you enjoyed!
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🙂
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Your words reflect the quiet at the end of day. (K)
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Happy to share that serenity with you! 🙂
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Especially love
“Bending closer, stroking more,
soft kisses touch ocean calm”
Exquisite Lillian! 🌅
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Thank you, Lona….especially for calling out those words. I really struggled with those lines….had “touching” first and then went with the “stroking” to follow through on the second stanza. So again, I really appreciate you mentioning them! 🙂
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They make the feel of the poem just perfect. 💜
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kaykuala
Blushing, she rouges blue sky.
Sun butter yellows upon her brush,
delicately blend into rosey hues.
Beautifully described of progressive hues of red from blue. That is exactly the phenomena of a darkening sunset and you captured it brilliantly, Lillian! Images are fantastic!
Hank
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Oh Hank, thank you so very much for your lovely comment here and call out of these lines. I just couldn’t believe that evening how the sky was so gently changing – it was like someone painting at impressionism painting in front of me. I was so glad my phone captured the colors so well. Glad you enjoyed!
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PERFECTION! Loved it!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Exsquisite personification of day, and what a medley of delicious images! Beautifully written!
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Thank you so much, Frank. Truly appreciate your kind words here!
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Tender and beautiful!
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Thank you! Such kind words….truly appreciate them!
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Wow! I see what you mean. You painted well with your words. Those photos.. the scenery really, a deep inspiration. Excellent! Now Provincetown is going on my list of must see places.😊
Pat
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It must be on your list! Fast ferry from Boston – just 90 minute ride. No need for a car in town😊 Look at top of my blog – there’s a header of Cape Cod and it’s a collage of Provincetown photos over the years. You’d love it there!
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Will do, thanks.😊
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