Sunset Songs

I've wrapped myself in sunsets forged in fire,
A fabric laced with dusk and twilight blue.
The golden clouds pour forth the sky's desire -
A day's end cocktail, sweet and warm and true.

This brilliant love concoction 'for the night
Falls gently 'round the circle where I stand;
The sun hangs onto me with all its might
And reaches down as if to steal my hand.

The leaves atop the trees, their silhouettes,
Speak tender, rustling peace as stars appear -
A reassurance, strong, I'll not forget
The promise in this sunset crystal clear:

That all the troubles of this day concede
When we choose to surrender, pause, and breathe.

Carousel Masquerade

Bright ups and downs and round-and-rounds invite
A masquerade of horses on the ring.
The turning riders soar like kites in flight;
In poesy the carousel takes wing.

Bold rhythms mark the dance, brass poles align
The lead horse on parade. Its gallop slows
To grant the queen her king, the groom his bride—
A pageant borne on steeds in ordered rows.

The calliope in three-step minstrelsy
Makes every horse a dancer in the hall.
In circling grace each mare bends modest knee
To welcome merry revelers to the ball.

Strike up the band! The Wurlitzer in song
Bears chariots and laughing children on.

©Todd Layton Eckard