August 4–10 ❘ Lost Light

Lost Light

I feel the loss of You in winter’s onset
when days grow short, when cold
saps green-gold life from trees and plants
till their brittle limbs crack
and crumble to dust.

I feel the loss of You at sundown
when darkness floods over me,
leeching color from earth and sky
till hope’s last drop has pooled
and drained below horizon line.

I feel the loss of You when fog
or smoke clogs heaven with ash
and smells of burning
out of time and season
like a misplaced omen.

In gloom, I drink in winking stars,
bright moon, twinkling party lights,
rippling reflections on water,
scattered glitter, lightning bugs,
wood fires in stone hearths,

any light I can scavenge
as I live the minutes, hours,
days until You dawn on me again.

• Read more of my poetry at www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry

• Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com