DOWNFALL

DOWNFALL

Winter sun sleepily lowering itself through the clouds,
simmering tendrils reflecting in lazy waves softly
touching shore, where still warm feet touch them, surprised
of the cold, wondering where the sun's warmth has
disappeared to, shockingly discovering that water wins
the same way cold in self penetrates every layer of being
shamelessly laying bare the brittle bones, fragile feelings,
myriad despairing emotions, previously hidden behind
a sunny facade of a face permanently frozen in a polite
summer smile, aimed at the numerous spectators eagerly
waiting for the death of summer and the rise of winter,
vultures circling with cold faces devoid of humanity.

***

Poem by Darren White
November 9, 2016