Gentle Darkness [Anonymous Poem]
I didn't lose the light all at once.
It dimmed the way evenings do -
no announcement,
just longer shadows leaning in.
I still laughed on cue,
still answered when my name was called,
but something behind my eyes
learned how to sit quietly.
I became good at surviving the day,
less practiced at wanting it.
Dreams folded themselves smaller,
like notes no one planned to read again.
Even my hope learned restraint-
it stopped asking for miracles,
settled for staying upright,
settled for breathing.
I watched myself from a distance,
someone I used to recognize
moving carefully through the world,
protecting the last warm ember.
If there's a lesson in this dimness,
I haven't named it yet.
I only know the dark didn't rush me-
it waited until I was tired.