After Dusk

As the clouds progress steadily through the night

The stars, including Orion's belt, begin to reveal

The corrupt air of the darkness screams riskiness

Traffic begins to subside

While the creatures of the night intensify

Frogs croak by the creek  

Crickets chirp heard but unseen

Chilled air raises the hair on my thin arms 

While the perplexing moon seems to sit all alone

The pot-bellied bird only discloses itself briefly

Meanwhile the brood is concealed

After midnight all movement has significantly dwindled

And there is not much to be said 

Anticipating the life of the dawn

We simply proceed to bed