darkness falls heavy as morning light approaches

leaving breathless the air that moments before

held captive the sounds of shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

rustle of leaves, pop of twigs,

swoosh of anything passing closely

only audible, not seen.

the distant hills rise slowly from the depths

as light casts upward, like a fresh sheet

flipped to lay gently on the ground.

day breaks and the noises of before are replaced with

chirps and flutters, barks and caws.

darkness succumbs to light.