Wax Paper Sunset

Wax paper sunset limits the light
      Over Western Pennsylvania
Gray skies are the order of the day
      Fast setting orb brings on a premature dusk

The topography conspires to propogate this crime, too
      Only occasionally does the landscape open up
From the steady stream of tall timbers lining the two-lane
      Pennsylvania's own version of highway sound barriers
Plus the distant summits on the rolling hills
      Block the sun first here, and then there
These hills in profile, silhouettes almost
      Fade into an ever-lightening progression
Of milky gray green smudged wax papery shades
      Putting a darkened pallor over the vistas
As if the state was mourning
      Our departure into neighboring Ohio
In sympathy we soothe saddened Pennsylvania
      Poor sister, sack-cloth-clad sibling
For the loss of our company

Still we cheer "Hurry Buckeye State"
      Your arrival means we make progress
Pushing toward Cleveland, on through the night to Chicago
      Tomorrow's chore will take us
Up through Wisconsin, to Minnesota and North Dakota.
      Then the next day through Montana and Idaho to Washington
Areas brand new except as pages in an atlas
      Oh such opportunities we know not yet awaits us tomorrow
To act as subjects sitting in a rolling thunder studio
      Lending our eyes our emotions as brushes 
Our memories our sensibilities as canvas
      For this art class devouring at 65 miles per hour
             Subjects fit for masterpieces
Oh hurry Ohio farewell Pennsylvania

Yes, alas, it's already gone now the day's light
      Fast setting orb brings a premature dusk
Fare thee well wax paper sunset
Over Western Pennsylvania this night


For Conversations With Walt
Denis J. Kelly
Oct. 26, 2011