African Sunrise

Gossamer shades of early dawn

Whisper to the velvet night

"Your vigil is now over

Time to let in light"

And with brushstrokes from the rising sun

The sky begins to glow

Stars become translucent

As colour starts to flow

Drifting clouds suffused with blush

Intensify and smoulder

And incandescent threads of light

Sparkle off the water

Glistening dew drops swell and slide

Down blades of thirsty grass

And crickets quell their rhythmic beat

Ceasing their stridulent dance

The Heuglin's Robin teases

With her stolen song

In branches that are evolving

The darkness comes undone

And with a flourish

A dazzling finesse

The sun claims the sky

Ephemeral Empress