Pink Moment

Pink Moment

Looming granite cliffs
painted with a palette
of harsh oils and acrylics
         gray, black, white and tan
stand sentry over the valley
casting a protective shadow
as the sun descends
         glimmering
over the purple and blue
waters of the distant Pacific
         shimmering

The moon rises
sleepy, stretching
about to begin his day
sketched in
stark white chalk
against the crayola colors
of the post sunset sky

The air is still -
except for darting birds
eager to find their nests
before the creatures of the night
begin their appointed rounds
and the bark of a dog
echoes up the canyon

I sit on my usual perch
holding my breath -
knowing that any moment
the evening show will begin
on the Topa Topa Cliffs.
But I keep my head turned away
until just the right time

For in that in-between time
the artist dashes in
and changes the canvas -
and when I look now
the stone peaks are
softly painted
in water color pastels
of every shade of blush -
         the pink moment

The shape of the cliffs
is the same as before -
now outlined
against the backdrop
of the darkening sky.
But the texture
has softened
brightened -
and all around me
I imagine
I hear applause