Night folds

So quickly the night folds up the day
Taking each shadow’s crease
Slipping in across the porch until
Only the front door holds the sun

From the rocking chair where I watch
This sun-gladdened day seeps across the front lawn
And weaves across the street
As children’s voices start to quarrel

I hear the wind around the house now
It is the sound of afternoon’s closing door
A moan as time moves through the changing
And eats minutes and I can tell it hurts some

My skin is closing now too
Folding into the comfort of clothes
Pulling itself closed with fingers that fumble buttons
And flannel that has become fragile with soft

I watch the last shouting child curve fast
Around the hedge
Until there is just a piece of blue
Then the screen door slams and lights go on
With just a flicker of family covering the window

Watching has made me remember
When children held my skirt and called out
As the afternoon chaos swallowed the day
And that too hurts some