These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Haibun: "The Fading of Life"

Darkness haunts the scurrying days of life, that wonder, "What's next?"

So many days rushed past the portals of youthful triumph at breakneck speed.
Things to do with places to go, while occasionally a friend would run in lock-step.
Is this aging soul merely mushed into the urn of "Used-to-be Usefulness?"

Final vestiges of light silhouette the trunks, limbs, and leaves
of daily life amid the growing garment of night.
So many things unsaid. So many things left undone.
What would be the wisest path through the oncoming uncertainty?

The benefits of nightly cover show myriad gains.
Sleep brings forgetfulness of less-than-hopeful moments.
Rest bears thoughts on lofty wings of dreaminess.
None looks upon the face of weary, languid tears puffed in heaving breaths.
Gnarly fingers clasp their terminal grasp, squeezing out the graying light of day.

Sentries of night stand transfixed beneath the murky sky, that once was day.
The blazing light of technology pushes back the blanket of suffocating night.
"Will I be remembered? Is there a new day to come? Will hope attend me when I wake?"

Depression battles for mastery amid the fading strength of youth.

useful day is gone
darkness stands 'mid absent light
comes the day anew

by Jay O’Toole
on June 19th, 2024