Before Night
By ROSALIE CROSSMAN
Out walking
hands in pockets
breathing out steam
like two ancient dragons
on the prowl.
Suspended in space:
watercolour moon
a protractor balanced on end
perpendicular
awash with daylight.
The darkening hills
silent and watchful
usher in the night
that soon will blaze
with orange eyes.
• Rosalie Crossman is a Dunedin poet.
