J.B. Hogan’s most recent poem to appear here was “Left Behind” (June 2019).

Long Dark Spell
By J.B. Hogan

A long dark spell is coming
it’s coming for us all,
the seasons getting shorter
days now far from long;
the sand is nearly empty
in the hourglass so small,
each sunrise left for savoring
each night a practice run;
end game fast approaching
light dimming day by day,
memories far behind us
hope fading with the shade;
so little left to say or do
in the time that yet remains,
square up the ragged corners
prepare parting and goodbye,
the pendulum is at its apex
the long dark spell arrived.