in a sentimental mood.

the world sits alone at night and all goes quiet. the wind raps a screen against the stone foundation of the veranda and, in the distance, car doors slam and music grows lesser in volume, the dying out of a late night get-together. being that there are no metropolis lights to compete for the attention of the sky, the stars steal the show, shining brightly from above in a navy black sky. orion travels eastward. the clouds are barely visible, sluggishly completing their journey as only shadows. the darkness sways above all like a jazz piece in a minor key.

into the stillness, silent whispers of secrets and longing echo as most prepare for bed, wading through the brief blackness until the world again opens into the uninhibited technicolor of their dreams. a few still sit under lights, throwing contrast into rooms that should otherwise be dark. they sit and think and work and fight off the idea of putting their bodies to rest because either they can not or they will not. the energy of the day slowly dissipates until even the unresting eventually can go no longer and give up to the seductive music of the night. they gently pull away from their thoughts, bid them a good evening, and plunge headlong into the darkness.