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Elysium
O golden hour, soft denouement of day,
O mystic time of quietude and peace,
When boughs and rushes whisper as they sway,
Twirled by the sighing zephyrs’ soft caprice;
When, fallen from his blinding noonday height,
The dimmed, declining sun, departing west,
Immerses all in glowing, golden light—
Warm relict of the noon’s blaze that oppressed.
When all the din and tumult day has stirred
Recedes to silence, hushed beneath the breeze,
And only owl and nightingale are heard
Calling out gently from the rustling trees;
You wearied soul, who now seek only rest
At daytime’s end, bask in the golden gleam,
The stillness, the mild airs, this world caressed
In light and languor, glimpsed as in a dream—
Your refuge, this imprint on earthly soil
Of fields beyond the sunset, ever green,
Where blessed spirits know no care nor toil,
Eternally at peace in such a scene.
But this, its mortal counterpart, flies back
Beyond the skies, now leaving them to turn
To evening’s pink, then twilight’s blue, then black
Of night, whose distant lights but faintly burn.
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Adam Sedia (b. 1984) lives in his native Northwest Indiana and practices law as a civil and appellate litigator. In addition to the Society’s publications, his poems and prose works have appeared in The Chained Muse Review, Indiana Voice Journal, and other literary journals. He is also a composer, and his musical works may be heard on his YouTube channel.
Beautiful poem, Adam. Stunning imagery.
This poem is soothing from start to finish. I love it.
Thanks for your lovely poem.
I’m really moved by the way you have taken a subject that has been written about so often — the beauty of sunset — and made it new again. Most especially, in the last two verses, I love the way you approach the theme of time/eternity in such fresh phrases as “this imprint on earthly soil” and “this, its mortal counterpart”. The whole poem, particularly the thoughts you’ve expressed in the fifth verse, brought to my mind a beautiful prayer from the Book of Common Prayer: “O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.” (1928 BCP, pg. 594)
I really enjoyed this poem, Adam.
Thanks for the read.
Excellent composition, with each of the stanzas contributing a new perspective on the golden hour, including its symbolism in the longer flow of time and in the psyche. The 24 lines feel like a significant number, imaginatively drawing out this one hour for a day’s worth of contemplation. Admirable!
The images in this poem are striking, satisfying, and form an excellent composition. I can’t stop at just one reading.
Such a wonderful poem, Mr. Sedia. The rich imagery with immaculate diction made my day.
Elegance, natural simplicity, and metaphorical depth.
A sweet and beautiful breath of balmy poetic air that has lifted this reader to heights beyond the fuss and fray of every day. Thank you!
Thank you, everyone, for the comments. I truly appreciate that you took the time to share your reactions. Perhaps the greatest fulfillment from poetry next to having created something is knowing that a reader somewhere has shared my perspective and received some form of insight and enjoyment.