All the joys that came before
are ground to dust in times deplored
by the demand of spirits lost
in the storms that come at a cost

faith that hope will remain
is battered by the driving rain
winds evoked without resolve
the outer darkness has the cause

still some shelter stands alone
demanding solace of the calm
even while the lights grow dim
ask not who the self condemns

those sparks of life most celebrate
have lost their shine in what remains
all the joys except for those those
harbored close in last repose.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191226.