That time of year you see in me
When yellow leaves, or none, or few
Still hold the branches in the cold
Where all the singing used to move
The trees stand thin against the wind
Like broken choirs after song
And I can feel the season turn
After the birds are gone
So love me now
While the light is leaving
Hold me close
While the west goes dark
You see the end
And that is why you mean it
Loss makes a fierce thing
Out of the heart

In me you see the end of day
After the sun has slipped from sight
The last red line along the hills
Before it gives itself to night
And little by little, blackness comes
To fold the fields and shut the sky
The second self of death walks in
And lays the whole world quiet
So love me now
While the light is leaving
Hold me close
While the west goes dark
You see the end
And that is why you mean it
Loss makes a fierce thing
Out of the heart

In me you see the fire sink low
Not wild now, but still alive
Lying on the ash of youth
Fed by what it burns inside
What kept it bright
Will take it down
What made it live
Will end it now
So love me now
While the light is leaving
Hold me close
While the west goes dark
You see the end
And that is why you mean it
Loss makes a fierce thing
Out of the heart
You see this clearly
So your love grows strong
You love what you must lose
Before too long
After the birds
After the fire
After the day is gone
Love me now
Love me now
Before too long
