another dam evening

knowing that these beautiful autumn days are numbered,

and not ready to be inside for the evening,

I went to the dam after practice to eat supper...

after scarfing down my meal in record time,

well aware of the only other vehicle nearby and the chill in the air

I returned to my car and started toward home

 

as I pulled onto Route 7 I glanced to my left

the observation tower called out, 

inviting me to stay and watch the sunset

I pulled into the empty parking lot,

thankful for the scene before me

for the peace

for the quiet

for a few minutes anyway

I decided sunset was taking too long to show it's colors

and in my impatient state of mind 

I was ready to forgo the grand finale

but in a moment of hesitation,

God kindly opened my ears and I heard night beginning to fall

chastised by a whisper:

"you can't rush beauty"

drawn by what I knew was coming,

I stayed put another forty-five minutes

and breathed deeply

listened intently

watched carefully

and was rewarded richly

beauty unfolding cannot be rushed