I am hardly hopeful
In winter’s deathly embrace
Her stern unsparing frame
Drains away my cherished resolve

Each gust
Is a foul and thieving ghoul
Plagued, with fiendish want

Craving
The few fading sparks I harbor
The lights that slave
To keep my inner fervor awake

I am
Hardly hopeful
Barely clutching
To my last shred
Of proudly hoist defiance