Words do glint in tearful repose
when natural shocks interpose
days weigh heavy as friends show old
and season's winter songs flow cold

These tally chime as death stalks near
long grow visits between grand years
with wrinkled hands and white hair fears
this walking slows, these eyes less clear

Into this night Jack's wind does howl
while inside hearth a live fire growls
and keeps at bay its teeth of frost
thoughts, of endings begin to gnaw

Now sheds this coil that binds its role
and splits heart's wood of nature's whole
console those living, pay this toll
journey's venture awaits its stroll

-cec