"When Day's Last Light Has Darkened" by Astor G. Clarke

From his first book of poetry Word Gems, published in 1824

"When Day's Last Light Has Darkened"

When last beheld the sunny skies

With fading mind and hazy eyes

A trembling spirit inside cried

"Let me see another day!"

As a boy I lov'd the morn

Newly born, alive and warm

Yet I cultivated years of thorns

And piss'd away the length of days

But dimming light forewarns of dusk

And approaching night, harsh and brusque

Whilst my soul, this leather husk

Shouts, "Please, another day!"

Oh Maria, my heart's delight

Good angel! Return and stay the night!

Comfort me in this ghastly plight

And give new hope of brighter days.

Now in the dark, a shadow nears

Hovering 'round my outer spheres

And chills me with its final sneers,

"You've seen the last of all your days!"