Blackness crushes me
and I awake relieved
the dark horse has gone
but midnight has barely passed
and sleep offers not
the comfort
of a walk

The cold happy stones of the dead
smile
and bid me join
as the rythm of my feet slows
and my eyes dance
and the stones dance too
while more than names
follow
to the water's edge

The perfect flat blackness
heals
but the thirsty mare
has come back
for a drink from the black water
and she haunts me yet again

I ask her why
she follows my steps
and her rider shows himself
this night

"Your time" he booms
and bellows a laugh
that shakes all but me

He dismounts
and the mare has left
but in her place
the night's accomplice
arrives a stranger in red
with a black piece
in hand
and I know that he's come
about my time

I turn away to hear
the untouched water
whisper comfort
only once interrupted
by the loudest whisper yet
and the stranger leaves
but the rider draws near

To the ground I kneel
to the sky I look
to the rider this night
I say "This time
I am ready"

While the black water rushes
to cover me
thick black flows from me
as my breaths grow quicker
but shorter
and the black night falls
as I grin

Blackness crushes me
to comfort
but this time I awake
in eternal light