Once more.

Standing in today's valley.

Consumed in the darkness.

My brow raises,

aligning two black beads to a harshly jagged silhouette

set against faint, intensifying daylight.

Once, I felt its cascading warmth - long ago.

The light will not touch me today.

My flesh will not be rid of this cold ache.

The day will be long - all the days are long.

And so will be the next.

The highest peak it doesn't have to be.

The chance at arrival -

one day -

is all I need to move on.