Sonnet: Breathless Hour

Comes round again the breathless hour, blindfold
and ties on worshipers of sunny light
now carnal freight through chill unconscious night
and the promises of golden dawn withhold
when crossing mortal checkpoints frightful cold
not knowing whether pass or lie in sight-
less sleep without farewells to set scores right
where memories and moments lapse untold.
But blow a breath and rub your startled eyes
the sleep not deep enough to hold in thrall
this time although in time another test
when sunset of the falling star and rest
those stretching shadows shape a stealthy pall
the fitting end before the grave surprise.