The night is closing in The clouds are frozen still The birds are feathered down The churches ring the hour Where once there was a cheer now stands a sorry crowd Across the frozen lake Beneath the tattered flags, a carnival of skates The scissors scratch their names Where once I held your hand I cannot bear to stand This city is a cauldron of blackened snow and strangers I moved here from the country I didn t know the danger I m haunted by the bottle I m haunted by the angels In letters from my sister, she asks me how I m feeling I say that I am better but I lie in every letter I have moved into the margin I have moved into the shadow Move closer to the fire or else you ll meet the ghost I loved you like a brother I loved you more than most But still you left me vacant Still you left me cold