The Ohio sun goes south for the winter
Or it slacks, tired of shining all day
The toll of constant heat to make helium
creating elements for the universe.

But the gray it leaves us makes the heart ache
Not immediately, like a lover that leaves you
but like an infatuation that fades after the initial burst
an absence that at the same time surprises you
and gnaws at you, building through time
A dull ache
a fading glow of an ember in your soul.

Everything is so quiet
with the winter sun gone
the chatter of possibilities muted.
the sky is neutral monochrome
whitewashing the atmosphere
drawing a veil across the universe.

So the world must turn into itself
meditating on what could be without heaven.
No shine to illuminate the way
so we must make the path ourselves.