Against the Sun

My spirit faltered once again, on the landing of the stair Each step would lead me further still, from yesterday and you I forced myself to walk awhile, and savor morning air While hoping I could clear my head and take a breath or two I did not wander out too long to watch the golden strand Of sunlight warm the distant hills. It held a sense of calm The landscape that surrounded me, I knew like my own hand, Was holding heartache, and my faith, so gently in its palm The rim of light behind the hills, and as so well it should, Had come before the moon took rest, they both claimed separate skies Of course the time was running out, and yes, we knew it would While silent hopes were found, then lost, within dark circled eyes A long night spent of holding on, of letting go the hours Our whispered love in increments, unspoken farewell words Sought fragile woven memories, so held as tender flowers. To treasure after dawn would bring tomorrow's lonely birds So, up the stairs I'd climb once more, to hold a sleeping hand It wasn't long before the sun reclaimed the summer skies One moment watching flowers fade, would parch the golden land But tomorrow comes with butterflies. Against the sun, they'll rise _______________________________________________________ For Brian Strand's Contest: FEB 2018 STANDARD CONTEST,ANY FORM OR NONE,ANY THEME UPTO MAX OF 20 lines (Rhyme Scheme abab)