This darkness is absolute--
but never empty.
You cannot see, but
your hands are still here.
I am still here.

I cannot shine
candlelight
upon quiet birds in the nighttime.
I cannot bring
starlight
upon dew-covered leaves of grass.

But I can hold you
steady.

And when you open your eyes
to the beauty of
dead men's clouds,

then your sunshine will show you--
the darkness isn't real

and it never was.