the seasons still changed

summer turned to fall

like eyelashes fluttering

in sunlight, too bright

  and we’re still here

our heads —

  so heavy

  — lift to the cold blue sky

desperately breathing in dying air

  expelled by tired trees

shedding memories of sweating days

and unforgiving nights

we cry out

into vast unknowns

comforted by constants,

terrified by the rest

and yet...

  the leaves will change

  the frost will settle

  the earth will rest

and we will carry on living —

  buried in the dark

but not lost,

never forgotten