The Dark Hour

Before the sun rises, and after the moon has set
there is an hour they call "the dark hour."

No birds sing, no wildlife yips. All
is silent. In that hour, it is good

if you have nice things to remember,
nice things to think about yourself.

Some poor souls do not have that.
Nothing nice to remember, nothing

nice about themselves to think of.
When they awaken, after the dark hour,

they feel insane. In the dark hour,
the world abandoned them, letting

them be alone with themselves.
But who knows? Perhaps, having nothing else,

they think of the times they were angry.
Or the times when their food arrived, overcooked.

In the dark hour, it is much better
if you can remember taking care of a baby,

making a solid home for someone to live in,
or even talking to the trees.

Trees can understand you, you know.
I think they become frightened, actually,

during the dark hour. Yes, that is a good
time to go and talk to the trees.

You can tell them about your broken dreams.
You can tell them about the butterflies that you have seen

mating on their trunks and branches. You
can console the lonely and frightened trees.

In the dark hour, you can pull out a white
piece of paper, and before your eyes, it will change colors.

In the dark hour, you can tell little lies, little
happy lies, and nothing will disbelieve you.

In the dark hour, you can look into the sky,
perhaps seeing the stars, but the

stars are weary, in the dark hour, and
will not look back at you.

No, even the crickets are asleep, during
the dark hour. Or if the crickets have died,

if it is winter, the frosty air, so noisy during the
day, lies quiet. It sleeps without dreams.

During the dark hour, you may remember the
things you meant to do, and never did.

It's not the time, or the night, that is
talking to you. It is your own spirit,

the only thing you have left, when it is
the dark hour. The dark hour is somewhat

like a gift; a time when you can talk to
yourself. That is why it is important

to have good memories. That is why it is
important to do good things, for other people.

In the dark hour, you are defenseless. The world
creeps around you, with feet made of dew

and mushrooms. And when it is within
striking distance, it surprises you, with a sudden

silence. The dark hour cannot be defeated.
It is always there, waiting for you.

Store up good things in your heart and mind.
You will need them, for the dark hour.