When Dusk Falls

Have you noticed how dusk
how sneaks in earlier
.
than last week?
Quietly joining the company.
.
for a spot of tea
in the garden or on the porch.
.
How cheeky he is-upstairs
and down in the parlor,
.
while we hardly notice
his approach.
.
Our eyes become used to
the setting sun at nine,
.
until dusk pushes us into
red maples and corn stalks.
.
We put out our hand
to grasp the fading light.
.
I hope they close the casket
slowly and gently-
we need to say goodbye
to the beautiful flowers,
and fleshed faces we love.

-------
Second line-take out "how". JP
-------
Oh, I love this! I'd delete that last five lines of the poem, though. I don't think they add anything to it. It's a lovely poem.
sg