Yesterday went for a walk in the dark.
It won’t ever return. I don’t know where
I’ve gone, it said. Its voice traveled far
as light from a star. It took years to hear.
The past is no longer what or how
it was. The fallen snow can’t say why it fell.
Our silent bell has forgotten its sound.
Lost river, we followed your flow
now show us where we go from here.
Feel free, tired day, to rest your head,
the sky will darken wondering
what’s next. In this blue hour
of sundown, civil twilight, remind us
to witness tonight the light that’s left.
About this Poem
Jason Heroux would have read his new poem “Civil Twilight” at the 2021 Mayor’s annual New Year’s Levee, had that not been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For each year of their appointment the Poet Laureate for the City of Kingston writes one new original poem that addresses or reflects one or more aspects of life in the City. At the 2020 Levee Jason read his poem “New Year”, and in 2019 he read his “I Woke Up In My City”.
Jason’s most recent collection of poetry at KFPL is his 2016 Hard Work Cheering Up Sad Machines. You can find more of his poetry and his fiction in the KFPL catalogue.
