She sees the sun setting over the sea.
It is calm, and serene, and cooling.
She thinks, "If the sun didn't set"
"We would be burned to a crisp!"
Not a thought that it was red
And what shepherds might think of that.
The man is deep in thought
Sipping a blood red drink
From a chipped crystal glass.
Witnessing the same scene as her
His thoughts are in the past
And nothing to do with heat,
Colour, or shepherd's delight.
She didn't see him, nor his tears.
It is all over so quickly.
In the blink of an eye it sets
And the last light beam is drowned
Beneath the now hidden waves

It's red blood swallowed whole.
The woman closes her window
And climbs back in his bed
Her blood red nightie uncreased.
The man refills his chipped glass
With more of the cheap red wine.
The shepherd calls to his flock
But they are too busy sleeping.
The sun dawns on a new land
Where the sheep are wide awake
And all is well in the world.

© Griffonner 2025

(Image courtesy of  Jonas Von Werne)