dark time

today
we celebrate
the darkness
those gone
those that made us
those that we love
and those that we fear

the clocks tick back
we pause
the heat and sunburns
of summer a memory now

we fill the void with
sugar and chocolate
and grab excitement however we can
in stories of ghosts
and all things made of shadows

today
we celebrate
waiting
and reflecting
staring into the dark
and looking for the whispers
still reaching across

we build tributes
and altars
carve prized gourds
looking for the design
that scares the scary
and welcomes our long lost
or worst just gives us here
a smile

the glow of candles is magical
even in and of themselves
offered intent and purpose
and they light up
with out destroying the spirit
of moment and place
that we find ourselves in this time of year

the wheel feels slower
but I think it's just my eyes
emotion enhances and taketh
my rational thought
all at the same time

the darkness
is here
the clocks tick back
the wind kisses cold
with gleeful crispness

until spring
I slowly re-grow
regroup refine
waiting to reemerge