Before the Dawn

Ten minutes before sunrise
Always looks darker than—why?—
Ten minutes after sunset.

Why doesn’t the direction
Of the contrast help? Your eyes
Wince at light bulbs flared in dark

And then see nothing but dark
When they’re switched off, which makes sense,
But dawn twilight makes no sense.

Breathless anticipation
Hardly sees the light that’s here
With so much day yet to come.