The bronzen dale lay bathed
Lit gold by the late-day sun
Wonderfully, Gloriously swathed
While the light warns of night-time to come
The fading bracken paints
Vivaciousness stained on the hill
While life lurks low and waits
Silent, muted, secretive and still
The crags both catch and reflect
The last of the outstretched rays
While the cooling fields and becks
Slowly, into monochrome fade
And while lonely stars start to shine
And moon hints of frost on the wing
Isolated windows ignite
And flickers from fires start to sing
As night-time slowly takes hold
And the way ahead grows dim
The traveler wards off the cold
With thoughts of warmth, kith and kin
My journey now draws to a close
And blessed is my heart and my state
I cease for a moments repose
Wrapped up in the dales warm embrace
21st April 2022