Those are the stars and

this is the flame.

The horrors of dawn for those who remain.

Their cities are burning,

their known world collapsed.

Stunned by the darkness, their senses have lapsed

Shocked with beauty, second sight.

As stars illuminate the night.

Fire sweeps the landscape,

Flames glow shrunken and cold.

There will be no legacy from this inferno.

It will leave no story to be told.

The fear of darkness drives the flames

And feeds the heat of dread

Some people huddle,some not all

As skies darken and Night Falls.

Written 30 years ago after reading Asmimov’s brilliant story “Nightfall”. Where a population on a futuristic planet with two suns, at least one permanently lighting the sky, experience an eclipse and their first nightfall.