Streaming From the Undergrowth

Forty yards of clearing
Kept the houses from the pines
Each day the village heat was drawn
And spread to cool

And even at eight bells I saw that night was forming
Rags and strings and strips of shade
Were lowered like a curtain at midday
The stiffness of wet burlap
And the nagging of the torrent
Hissing somewhere underground

I know it very well
For I am drawn and spread
Yes, streaming from the undergrowth
Night arrived in search of me