Pewter Dawn

Although cold and gray dawns are common enough in this area, occasionally the sun brightens the snowy haze and makes it gleam like polished pewter. Often the early morning air is crystalline and sharp, seeming almost to ring with the vibrations created by the sun's first rays breaching the distant southeastern horizon. It's at this moment the burnished pewter morning becomes the fiery fanfare of sunrise, banishing the gray shadows and burnished brilliance of the Pewter Dawn.

Mick

Pewter Dawn

I wondered if I'd lose my way,
Abroad at dawn on pewter day -
Entombed in shades of brown and gray,
And once my long walk had begun,
If winter's shy prodigal sun
Would be observed by anyone.

My footfalls crunched the brittle snow,

And slid on ice hidden below.

Yet, onward I had vowed to go,

Despite the pale bone-chilling haze,

Which haunted by the sun's weak rays,

Whispered light in little ways.

Then faint cascades, refracted light,

Gleamed and glowed, in wavelets bright

That shined and shimmered in my sight.

Despite its aspect, frightening,

I pierced that curtain shimmering,

And heard light's liquid crystals sing.

The sun's sweet song caressed my eyes;

It's shining chorus filled the skies,

With fiery fanfare for sunrise -

At which I gasped a startled yawn,

And noticed how completely gone

Was wintry, early, pewter dawn.

Mick McKellar

February 2008