Still the darkness of the night

holds us in deep sleep as slowly

ever so slowly the blackness of

the sky turns evermore into shades

of gray inexorably announcing

the coming of Dawn, the herald

of yet one more new day.

Our sleeping minds now transposed

into a semi-awakening stance where

we dream of events past or perhaps

those that are to come, twisting, turning

not yet ready to shed the mind at rest

and awaken to the first hint of the

rising sun as golden fingers through

the grayness stab and daylight its

faint debut makes.

Lighter, brighter turns the sky

as our mighty burning star

over the Eastern horizon

steadfastly its progress makes

until the fiery sphere in full attire

rises above the horizon to radiate

its warmth for all in its path

with incandescent nuclear fire.

Now the day begins anew

fresh with hope and aspiration

wondering what the day will bring

as we contemplate our plans

in harmony with the arrival

of Dawn and of our blazing sun.

HERBERT HOLZBAUER

© Fall 1997