Nearing Dawn

[rejectomorph]

Five o'clock. The sky turns cerulean and stars wink out as the town begins emerging. Trees grow more detailed. Those to the south shelter the low half moon, which appears to flicker amid the burgeoning foliage as I walk out to fetch the morning paper. A single owl hoots again and again. An early-rising neighbor's porch light flashes on, and down the block a door closes. Others awake to this deep blue. I prepare to close my drapes and hold on to what remains of the fading night. It was pleasant. The frogs sang late, and I heard ducks fly over. A big, gray tabby cat visited my yard, but did not stop to socialize. Mostly, there was quiet, except for the clatter of a few pine cones which dropped from nearby trees. I like these waning half-moon nights for the softness of their light. Now brightness comes, and the first birds are singing to greet it. I preferred the owl. Maybe he'll return when night falls again.