Preparation for Hibernation
There’s always been later
but it appears later
is now
and I gorge
insatiable
insatiate
on the darkening that crowds closer
Waved in with winds
mounted on cloud
running before the rains
kneeling on the neck of night
I open my arms and welcome it unto me
fill my gaping maw
cram it down my throat
and gorge
on recollection ushered in on darkening wing
as the cog of the year clicks toward the end
And this year
as it turns through the liminal space into darkness
I do not close windows against the winds
or draw curtains on clouds
I let the rain run where it will
I leave off the light
and gorge on the darkness
against the dormant days
where I shall go to ground
and digest
before I am reborn
into the weak wet sunlight of my coming spring
Becky Walker is an artist, spoken-word performer, and writer based in Westcliff-on-sea, UK. She also once demanded cheese in preference to a box of chocolates as a thank you because she likes what she likes.