The mourning dove calls—
owls lament—
crickets frail chant—
daylight waning—
grounded acorns mass—
leaves fall—fading—
frost stings the grass—
the wolf wails—
the season fails—

the passage darkens the soul—
storms the depths
Heart grief, maelstrom—
tempest boils—
Black hole—
Frenzied—
Turbulent spasm—
Caged tears—
     suffocate—
     cannot break—
     no escape.
Chasm.

Surging.
Pressing.
Crushing.

Within—

echo of doves…
echo of owls…
echo of crickets…
echo of wolves…
mute requiem—
     reverberates—
     resounds—
     resonates—

Within—

Desperate—
agonized—
lonely—
isolated—
     spiraling—
     scourge—
     tearless cry—
     no relief—
     restless sigh—
silent—
dirge.

Originally written:  9/16-9/18, 2025