Fading
by Sandra Coble
I complacently sit and ponder,
But only for a while.
Eventually it sinks in
(Like the tiny pebbles I toss into the glistening, gurgling water)
That my troubles have faded.
From the black hole and gloomy gray storm
Into the vibrant painting above.
Below, and all around,
I emerge.
A single, silvery, sequined fish leaps
Slicing the air, then gliding back into the river.
A tiny bird whistles
On the branch next to me.
As the sun slowly slides beneath the hill,
Making the iridescent sky glow,
The river's shimmering mirror image reveals a last burst of fire.
Twilight covers me warmly with its comforting arms
While individual stars jump to center stage.
I close my eyes and smell the fresh crispness.
As I open them, I realize
The brilliant gold,
Startling scarlet,
And majestic violet changed.
Each fade and change,
Yet my spot on the river never ceases to relax me:
Blue skies, iridescent sunsets, and stars welcome me graciously,
When everything seems empty.
When the world turns its cold hardness to me.