The Light Gate Was Still Open

THE LIGHT GATE STILL OPEN


As we emerged from under the narrowing and secret entrance
of the under-world in its caverns we blinked at first to find
just a glimmer of day fast fading beneath the cloud-dim advance
of this coalmine night with its stormy outriders and yet a kind
last light still candled the western horizon & an open door above
as if there the lost gates of elsewhere were guarded yet against
the night merchants of dim by guards who waited for us to arrive,
keeping this exit of light open with fire-swords at the fence.

January 2015