Never-Ending Winter

Never-Ending Winter

At times, it grows so cold and dark
as though the sun has given up
on this slow turning globe, a small

and insignificant blue world,
alone and lost against the distance
as though the universe has turned

its shoulder on us, leaving us here
in this a never-ending winter.
The days become half-night, so cold

and dark, all gone before they can
begin. We huddle close together
around forlorn and feeble fires,

in hope of heat, and warmth to bring
enlightenment, but now the flames
can only splutter and then die,

this dampness leaving only ash
and fading embers of the fires
that could have burnt so bright and hot.