Full Moon Setting at Sunrise

I will start over; I will begin again.
Remorse dogged every dream; but now it's passed.
I swear to God, Marie: this is the end.

And not a blessed thing left to defend
this life, this lie declaring this will last —
I will start over, I will begin again,

renouncing liquor, lovers, family, friends,
the tedious mob of claims parading past.
I swear to God, Marie: this is the end.

The harrowed night dissolves. The moon descends.
This failure that I feared consoles at last.
I will start over, I will begin again,

retreating onward while behind extends
the black and burgeoning shadow of the past.
I swear to God, Marie. This is the end.

Leave better men to plod and make amends
Of all my broken vows, this is the last:
I will start over, I will begin again.
I swear to God, Marie: this is the end.