C. Douglas Caffey

LONG ARE THE SHADOWS

The rising of the sun
Raises the shades of night.
The golden rays bathe everything
In penetrating light.

Shadows are first tall,
Then at noon, not very wide;
But long are the shadows
At eventide!

The orbit of the sun
Pushes darkness aside:
Long are the shadows
At eventide!

A day’s march of the sun
Makes history in her run;
Do what needs doing
Before the day is done.

When day closes her curtain,
Darkness cannot be denied;
And long are the shadows
At eventide!

Now the day is gone
To light Earth’s other side.
Long are the shadows
At eventide!

Do what you must
While light lends her hand;
For then comes darkness
Over all the land.