beyond the night
I sometimes go
when all the lights
are left –
moments unresolved
to time’s caress
– the needle
on the gas gauge
warned us
one more time until
we’d soar into the madness
scorch another sun
while looking back
on one more
grain of sand

shining
in the stillness
left us lost –
aligned with stars
and counting lives
two hundred
would we know
the road ahead –
where steeples bent
apart from
numbers grieved
tears already falling
into rain

black the ash
was worn for man –
gave of truth
unselfish
placed my hand
above the place we shared
times to leave
and eighteen more
sundays yet to question
years would fade
beyond our will
to stay

lately
there are nights
I dare not close my weary eyes
forgetting once again
the way
we breathe

. . .