sunset, burning in scarlet.
like the flickering luminance of a forest fire,
deepens the long shadows of dormant trees.
his smoldering eyes look up at the fading of light.
far away, the sun sears its shape into the horizon,
branches reaching into its silhouette like claws-
grasping at its fleeting warmth.
soon, the sky will fill with brilliant stars.
but now, just for now-
the shade consumes all.