SUNSET IN BREATHITT

Through purple haze of evening mountain mist,

A spiral thread of dark blue smoke arose

From hidden cove and rugged steep defile;

While like a ball of blood o'er some far magic isle,

The sun a moment hung in deep repose,

Above a placid sea of amethyst,

In mystic prophecy of death and doom,—

Then dropped and splashed the sky with crimson spray and spume!