Those Friends and I Who Cradled Night

(Quatern)

Those friends and I who cradled night
When lust and music called us out,
To squandered youth and arcane light,
Our chronic ashes scattered now.

I wonder what they’d think of me,
Those friends and I who cradled night.
The one who pledged inconstantly,
The one whose love could not requite.

My demons never share insight,
Just tolerate to cause me shame.
Those friends and I who cradled night
Rejoiced in every broken game.

Our time now spent, our hour gone,
Old men and women seek respite,
Our strut and fret have lumbered on,
Those friends and I who cradled night.