Conquest of Night
By Scott L Vannatter
November 14, 2012
The lights all dim,
Shadows fade into blackness
I settle into that portion of night
Where my close friend comes to play
That dear acquaintance known well
By tears and frowns dragging
On face and skin until all
Hangs low and sadness covers the whole
Easy all day to keep the light
Glowing in cheeks and the reaches
Of mind and soul
Kept fresh by brightness burning
But, oh by god, by midnight black
Demeanor takes a solid turn
And wisps of nightshade crowd inside
The fissures of gray matter darken so
The fight ensues the battle all but lost
As tendrils of twilight fog the brain
And make simple the trek to down and out
All that’s needed is to give in
But fight I do this quest of late
Knowing that loss costs more than life
If fall I do then mind will shatter
And thoughts of you will fail
Hold resolute do I then
To your image and let the beauty
I live to please take shape
And focus all my will toward thee
In my vision you come to rest
Bringing peace and love to my dying breath
And breathe back life, vivid and full
Making crimson my lips and complete my heart
Words may fail and ears may ring deaf
My shouts fall not on listening ones
But my whisper sounds throughout my soul
Saying, “My love I need you still”