November Dirge

Tonight when the twilight

Slips over the day

You will be gone

Your bleak robe of gray

Tucked in beneath

Your discourse spent

The earth a vale

Of abandonment

Withered leaves scuttle

Through alley and park

Wood-smoke spirals

Into deep blue dark

And the grim breeze wanders

Its indifference

Restless with winter’s

Keen imminence

Tonight when lights dim

You will slip from earth’s stage

Beyond subtle scrim

Of Time’s turning page

Flinging perhaps

As you turn to go

Against darkened windows

Your kisses of snow

In unison flicker

Approach and retreat

Coalesce then you’re gone

Time’s bittersweet

Essence lingers

As the blackened sky

Claims you forever,

Good-bye, good-bye

© Janet Martin