Retreat

Why must it hurt so much
cries my soul's lament.
Tattered wings drawn in tightly,
scant protection from the cold.
Internal fire grows dim,
life's essence slips away.
Affected too much by this --
why is something so small
so hard?
Tears won't fall anymore,
they wither and die,
frozen in my eyes.
My heart grows weak,
the beat grows dim,
mere ashes where once was fire.