Twelve minutes till midnight,

the world holds its breath

a hush between heartbeats,

a pause before death.

Streetlights stand trembling,

the moon leans in close,

as though time has loosened

its hand from the rope.

Shadows grow softer,

stars sharpen their sight,

and even the restless

feel gentle tonight.

Twelve minutes till midnight,

a promise, a thread

that moments near ending

still shimmers ahead.

For in those last instants

before a day dies,

we learn that beginnings

can wear the same guise.

So linger a moment,

let silence ignite

the magic that lives

Twelve minutes till midnight.

-Anneke Howard-Smith