Hospice in November

Each darkening day, each deepening night:

trees gone bare on the oldest hill.

we're not quite ready to lose the light.

*

the moonless sky, a glittering bite;

the house shudders in the growing chill,

each darkening day, each deepening night.

*

it's easy to say: we've stopped the fight,

let down the defenses, surrendered, but still -

we're not quite ready to lose the light.

*

it's easy to say: we know this is right.

and it's hard to bear, but bear it we will:

each darkening day, each deepening night.

*

it's easy to say: we'll be alright.

but ask me again, and the truth I'll spill:

we're not quite ready to lose the light.

*

I know one day, it'll once more be bright;

our eyes will clear, and our hearts will fill.

But we're not quite ready to lose the light,

on this darkening day, this deepening night.