Rondel: Beside water at nightfall

Rondel: Beside water at nightfall

   So near to evening, thoughts against thought will run,
      unsettled in currents: fish, aswim down suddened light.
      Upon the bank, I've slowed to discern the turn toward night
   in the songs of birds. Even water itself is by dark undone.

   Trees and road, hill and distance--all coaxed into one.
      Stern shapelessness, I cannot place myself. Wouldn't know right
   so near to evening. Thoughts against thought will run,
      unsettled in currents. Fish, aswim down suddened light

   like this, then--boat that drifts for the shore, done
      with floating blind. At the edge of my vision, a white
      something. Sand bar? Rock break? There's not enough sight
   to say. Will I learn at last how much such doubts have won?
   So near to evening, thoughts against thought will run.

COPYRIGHT 2006 The Christian Century Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning