Tidings

Tidings
coming
from
the
sunset
rad io-waves
radio-waves
echoing
echoing
radio-waves
‘day
declining
day
be
waning’
hear you?
attention!
hold!
hear!
hear!
the
dusk
hums!
the
red
hums!
there’s the first
scream from the bat
as
it flies low over the waters
still a-stunned by the noon
sun.
radio-waves
radio-waves
ech oing
echoing
radio-waves
‘day
declini ng
day
be
waning’
hear you?
attention!
hold!
hear!
hear!
night is coming
already
the
edge
of
his
dark
mantle
comes
already
already
woman’s
heart
she
loves
she
lovesand
the
night
this
night
for
her
days
are
passing
days
are
slipping
as
the
sand
stars come out to demonstrate
moon be not shy be not faint
clouds fly low, avert the moon.
this the night
the bridge will sigh
creaking, creaking
as when my father and mother, two,
lovers hand in hand
over it they paced and went.
Long ago! Long ago!
old Valletta! long ago!