I was taken aback when I realised how close we are
again to the longest night. That seems to have
come about very quickly. These light nights are
a boon to people who don’t sleep well.
When I was a girl away from home in Kent, in
a hospital school, the nights were totally black.
Surrounded by fields and woods, I was quite
willing to believe witches made that big old
building their headquarters. These nights I
look out of the windows and remember that
friendly light beaming out from a friend I never
actually met.

LOSING THE LIGHT

My unknown friend
Kept her light on all night.

Now she is gone,
Her room dark,
And I could not even salute
Her passing.

For we are a people
Set about by demons,
Busily securing
A place for us
In this terrible history
Of the world.

I miss my friend.

          © 2021 Gwen Grant.

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