The sun rises high to the peak of the sky.
At last I sit and rest.
I mix my rye with citrus most dry
and clutch it to my breast.

I feel the cold burn my joints, so old,
and know that I’ve been blessed,
for to see what’s told of that glittering gold
has me quite possessed.

I raise my glass to the world en masse
and think of my last request.
I feel it pass, that moment alas,
and feel my soul arrest.

The sun sinks low, the day grows slow,
and begins, the edge, to crest.
The darkness does grow and I’ve nothing to show.
The day is not impressed.

As the end draws near I shiver with fear,
my fortitude stands suppressed.
I watch stars appear, their light so dear,
remembering dreams unexpressed.

The sun leaves the sky, my throat is so dry,
I’m wholly dispossessed.
With one final sigh and a tear in my eye,
I drink the last of the zest.

The void sings to me, and I know it to be my friend.
Someday we will embrace and stand forever in time,
but the light stands beside me until the bitter end.

I hear a voice within the black that sets my hair on end
"Come sweet child, do you not hear the clock's sweet chime?"
the void sings to me, and I know it to be my friend.

I long for that sweet touch, to fly upon that wind,
to forsake what I've been given and abandon the endless climb,
but the light stands beside me until the bitter end.

Its glow is ever present, though sometimes I pretend
to not know how it lifts me and to give in to the crime.
The void sings to me, and I know it to be my friend.

I must go on, I must not fade, I've so much left to spend.
I know that eventually I'll fall and doom summer's time,
but the light stands beside me until the bitter end.

As I rest my fingers, reviewing what I've penned,
my tears drop to stain the page as I read my final rhyme.
The void sings to me, and i know it to be my friend,
but the light stands beside me until the bitter end.

Luigi lights the sign to start the day,
its neon glow, a tantalizing call.
Tables bedecked with red and white cliché,
anticipating rising dough to fall.

The scents bring promise of salivation.
The merest thought of the delicious treat
can free the mind of all obligation
and brings euphoria, however fleet.

Yet passion with no pause exposes threats,
neglecting needs of tongues and oven fire.
The choking smoke of realizations met
awakens one to act on what's required.

From ash comes Luigi, with shop destroyed,
presenting one last pie, which all enjoyed.

I sit and stare into familiar face,
it tocks and ticks and talks into my ear.
The rhythm beating steps of futile race
and endless march fills throbbing heart with fear.

The gears turn, grinding out the moments' lives,
their silent echo screaming at each death.
Though each I save within my mind's archives,
still pages rot and fade away as breath.

Upon the hour chimes begin to ring,
a surge of strength returns to mind and heart.
Each tone a promise, future taking wing.
Let bygone days be gone. It's now I start.

Each second spent, each step on useless climb,
is my defiant fight on tides of time.

It's time again to freeze in snow and ice,
or would be were it not fifty degrees,
and time for joy and cheer, to just be nice,
or try amidst the screaming shopping sprees.

This holiday we stand apart six feet,
to spread joyfulness rather than the plague,
and carols sing while we waltz down the street,
although the lyrics are a little vague.

But let us share my favorite holiday
and raise a glass of cheer to one and all.
For in the end arriving on the sleigh
are friends, both old and new, to deck the hall.

Through it all I am here to smile and say
may we all have a merry Christmas day.

The mourning comes. You wait in waning hours.
A dark window. A stalking, silent end.
The light fades from his eyes as tears fill yours.
Eternity comes, claims a fallen friend.

Recalling lost moments of what had been,
the sparks of brightest love, the shades of hate
most deep, and all the lights that flash between
now come to haunt you. Crushing weight of fate.

The memories you clutch, in grip of death,
allow a smile to briefly crack your lips.
The moment swells, at last you catch your breath.
For paths trod hand in hand can dark eclipse.

Then it's passed. Dark returns and heart turns black.
Too late. He's gone. Nothing can bring him back.

Outward I gazed upon what life I'd led
and saw just grey until horizon's edge.
Forever ****** I am, this road to tread,
yet never shall I yield, to trudge I pledge.

Then blackest shadow came and in a flash
began to form a shape both strange and plain.
A cat. One black as soot and soft as ash.
Now that a change had come, did hope remain?

She lept upon my lap, let out a purr,
and melted ice encasing broken soul.
Who knew such dark would tears of joy confer?
The end may come and yet at last I'm whole.

For beauty such as this is oh so frail,
for you I'll fight, and know I shall prevail.