Shawn Aveningo-Sanders

Shawn Aveningo-Sanders’ poetry has appeared worldwide in journals, zines and anthologies, published in Australia, Croatia, England, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the U.S.She is the author of What She Was Wearing, co-founder of The Poetry Box, and editor of The Poeming Pigeon. A proud mom and Nana, she shares the creative life with her husband in Oregon.  (redshoepoet.com)

Let Nightfall Come at Last

~after Jane Kenyon

Let dusk of early evening peek
through slats of window blinds.
Watch lavender light
zebra the walls. Let
nightfall come at last.

Let an old woman sit for a spell
with feet propped-up to rest.
Soft winds cradle
the snow to sleep. Let
nightfall come at last.

Let dirty dishes soak in the sink
to share tales of once-ago meals.
Soap loosens tongues
of gossipy spoons. Let
nightfall come at last.

There’s a basket of laundered linens
that will surely wait ‘til morn—
the cat content
asleep in the heap. Let
nightfall come at last.

On her lap lay a book inverted
like a ritual bedtime prayer.
Her lids fall fast
over tired eyes. Let
nightfall come at last.

Let her memories waltz on the ceiling
and dreams take a stroll about.
She’ll reach for his hand—
familiar touch—
when nightfall comes at last.