'Cross the River

This darkness is not endless.

though it is smothering your light -

I have lit for you a lantern,

a beacon in the night.

The river may be black,

its waters may be cold,

and though it is hardship you must go alone,

but take with you my lantern,

set it on the bank.

and turn to face the bank you left behind -

you'll see an echoed gold.

A single flickering lantern,

not unlike your own.

They are a pair,

parts of a whole -

Don't wait for me across the river,

don't linger by the door.

Just leave your lantern by the river,

and your footsteps on the shore.