Evening Upriver Upon the ridge pines of Sugar Island, upon thornapple and blackcap, upon oak saplings holding feather-light a few last-year's leaves: afternoon sun dwindles into red. The forest falls silent. Bullfrog, cricket and loon wait for sun to touch water, for the world to find its nightshirt. Darkness wells from midchannel drowning the banks in shadow. Three crows pass southwest spreading news of a stranger on the water. Poem © Dale Hobson. Engraving © Greg Lago. All rights reserved.