Black as night when we arise,
Dark the rooms and hallways.
"Lumos", we whisper, wide our eyes,
Heavily bundled always.

Warmest clothing worn in layers;
Shaking hands unfold them.
Icy handrails of the stairs,
Hardly dare we hold them.

Coldness by the outer walls;
Only near the fire
Is there heat within the halls,
Warmth that we require.

Tall and leaded windows gaze
Outward onto dire night.
Flickering gleams and amber rays
Of reflected firelight.

Frosty panes we look upon,
Traced with frozen glass rime.
Grayness of the tardy dawn
After start of class time.

If by chance the clouds are gone,
Then we keep our eyes on
Winter's red and warmthless sun
Skimming the horizon,

Gleaming through the bare trees of
The forest growing nighest.
Scarcely can it rise above
The branches of the highest.

Ere the final class is done,
See, the light fades slowly.
Too soon sinks the feeble sun;
Night surrounds us wholly.