The changing of the time

December 31, 1987

I am ready to fall back to that arrangement of the hours

wherein night is lengthened. Those exquisite twilit moments

of long, stark shadows transform

the view

into a scissors-cut paper

silhouette. Memories of childhood's heyday -

when staying up late meant

well past seven with cocoa,

apples dipped in honey,

Badger, black-hearted pirates

and the quiet singing of

``Now the day is over...''

Had we

let it go wasting away? -

invade the darkening room.

Oh delicate, strengthening

maple-flame evenings. My pilgrim soul cheers on,

``Fall back!''