Remember those cold nights when the moon bathed

the dreaming world in its dying-ember

orange glow and the sky was stained a deep

purple. When the stars glittered like scattered

shards of shattered ice and the frozen air

slapped your face and combed its icy claws through

your hair, you walked alone. Remember the

satin darkness of dreamless sleep, and the

welcome you found in the night's embrace, far

from the blazing light. And remember those nights,

asleep in the Dark One's arms, all you could

dream of was the day. In your dreams, you saw

the muted sunlight and drowsy blossoms

nodding in rain soaked gardens, where you once

ran, dog-like, on all fours, over warm stones

and rough concrete. Dreaming, you danced in the

empty streets to the tune of silence, bathed

in gold autumn light. You stared deep into

midnight eyes, and you saw the hallowed night

reflected there. Remember the day you

ran, innocent, through bright fields burnished

gold. Childlike, you laughed at the tall grasses

tickling bare legs and feet. Elation turned

to fright as the black snake emerged and pierced

you with envious fangs. Fog swirled in your

mind and stupor crept over you as the

venom lazily trailed its fingers through

your veins. The Dark One's laughter echoed in

your head as you, fell away from life,

fell away from the day, fell away

to the welcoming shadows. Remember

now, awaking in the night, alone, and

with tears on your face, reaching out for the

coveted light while the Dark One whispers

in your ear, You can never return.