From Dark To Black

From dark to black they staggered, felt for familiar surfaces, they groped, until the lantern flickered, faint glow resurrecting shadows. Cold and flaggy, floors uneven, up and down they skittered like two drunkards on a binge, finding legs, orientation. Gaslight blue-flamed 'neath the kettle, blanket grabbed, the bed was ransacked, tea was swallowed gratefully, with a pinch the lamp gave up the ghost. From dark to black, not even starlight gave relief to weathered eyes, huddled 'neath the self-same blanket, wide-mouthed yawns and muffled sighs.