That sun is sinking,
Lower and lower every day,
Dragging its belly
Across the horizon -
I hope it doesn't disappear for good
This year,
That the earth tilts
Back the way it usually does
At the winter solstice -
But who knows for sure?
Maybe this is the end
Of that old habit
And the planet cuts loose and drifts
Into the cosmic, bitter darkness,
Taking itself into oblivion along with
All our silly dreams, our dramas,
Our fears great and small,
Our superstitious daily habits
And all that passes for thought - who knows?
Sooner or later
Everything will just drift apart and
Disappear, won't they? - but wait,
Let's just wait and see,
Say a little prayer, if you like,
Or just light a candle or
Give someone a warm smile
And maybe, just maybe,
Once again the earth will tilt
Back and the days will grow longer
And we can go on
Hopelessly dreaming
For another year.