Bright blue sky with a half moon
Snow stubbornly clung to the limbs of the maple tree.
The winds howled in fury and might.
How will all of nature’s critters survive this long night?
Their fluffy feathers and huddled flock
got them through the darkest of the dark
and in the morning they greet me still
They nibble and grab the seed in my feeder
and gather their strength once more
Despite the fury and might
We might just get out of this blistery cold without a fight.
The fright is aplenty as any can show.
I still enjoy the spectacle of snow
The fire’s aglow and it keeps us warm.
I dare not step outside again
Come spring we celebrate
the darkest of the dark we weathered
and grew in wisdom and time
Inner resilience and self-reliance
can get us through this storm
Tag: darkness
The light in the dark
The darkest weeks ascend toward us
The circles of wind-swept dead leaves
approach and scatter as I walk
I tread lightly and look to the sky
The shimmering light of morning sun
dazzled and greeted me
My curious heart reached out
and leaped to meet the current
of light and warmth above
It is a welcome reprieve
The dazzling sunsets will tuck me in
to a play of color and a gift
from the painter in the sky
whose hues and shades and strokes of
pinks, oranges and purple
stir me to a relaxed lullaby
of warm tea, a blanket and a book
We all need to rest and gather
during these darkest weeks
It is a welcome reprieve
To liberate these bonds of fear
The unknown may feel scary
that darkness of uncertainty
looms large
and we feel small
like a lost child
afraid of the night
and bigger shadows
fear, uncertainty,
doubt, worry
our survival can be
called into question.
To venture beyond seems
otherworldly or
reckless
To liberate the bonds of fear
we must first bring those
shadows into view
into the light
to be examined
to be seen
and then their booming
dire
warning siren seems to be dimmed
A dimmer switch,
which we absolutely
control,
It is within our grasp
and we have the authority
the audacity
the key
to choose how much depth
and breadth that fear has over us
There is no permission slip
needed.
The permission was only ours
to give
to ourselves
To liberate these bonds of fear
know, my dear,
that it is safe.
Step out of the darkness
and into the light
Today
I draw the curtain back
and allow the sunlight to
fill the room and all its
edges and corners with light
– sweet blessed light –
to chase away the darkness
of the night.
I was afraid of the dark
as a child I saw the shadows
dance across the walls and
I was filled with terror.
As a child I was powerless
the world loomed large and I
so small, too small to make a difference
to be heard.
The curtain clears the cobwebs
of my mind and I greet the day
counting my blessings to be alive
today is the only one that counts
Today I can make a difference and I do.
I can steer and guide that light
– that inner light intermingled with dark –
and shine a flashlight on all that was
– and is –
filled with fear and unknowing.
I can manipulate and warp the light
like a prism broken into all its colorful
rays of light.
Today I make finger puppets with the shadow
We play and walk,
morphing our shadows into one.
Fear still grips at me sometimes
even in full daylight
Shocks and anxieties aglow
I breathe
And as I do, I steady my heart.
The tick tock of a clock
mimics my heartbeat and I
find that connection once more
to be grateful to be alive.
Today, this moment
I cherish the lessons
even those not faint of heart
that grew and morphed and shaped me
into me
And I smile and greet the day.
Of Shadow and Light
I. Shadows in the corner
A face looks out the window
as I play unaware of its piercing
eyes and snarled face.
It watches me often.
Appears here and there.
I feel helpless and scared.
Those watchful eyes and scowled face.
II. The light turns and turns
Other times I have this power
or at least I think I do.
My bedroom ceiling light.
With its round opaque glass
And swirling patterns of ribbon and flowers.
By its own accord, it spins above my head
Slowly and steadily.
Sometimes I follow it with my finger.
Other times I will it to turn.
Tracing the path
Round and round.
It gets the message.
And the glass starts to spin.
Matching its pace to my pointed finger.
Sometimes I reverse the trace,
just to see if it responds.
And it always does.
This relationship, this power.
A track to follow.
My eyes fixated on its path.
We do this little dance.
I follow you.
You follow me.
The glass never unwinds itself
off its hinges or crashes down.
Just above me as I slumber,
It turns and turns.
[ Based on true events ]
“Make of yourself a light”
The darkness can be all too consuming.
Fear lurches behind every corner.
Each stone unturned, untouched
Afraid of what lies underneath.
Secrets are meant to stay that way
Buried, dark and moist.
Like fungi in the undergrowth of a dying tree,
it consumes the decayed
The fallen.
How can the light reach even here?
A darkened warm cave
What seemed like shelter and safety is now a cage
Even with its wide open mouth entrance.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Brings hope and a promise.
It ushers us home –
a reunion of sorts –
of what it’s like to be free.
To feel the warm rays is to
Wrap love around me like a blanket.
There is protection and comfort here too.
Though I may recoil and try to go back.
In the safe quiet of the darkest night sky,
I reach out and feel your warmth
Knowing I have all that I need.
Imbolc
These dark days of winter
no snow or ice
just a grayness
hung low from the sky.
We all want to be free
free from pain
free from hurt
thoughts, mind
body still.
Yet I go outdoors
Praying for the sun rays.
I won’t squint or complain
This time, I promise.
Your rays are not harsh
But a welcome home
Into your warm embrace
We all long to be.
Gray sky
Gray concrete
The houses look dim
The trees stark black.
I can see the cardinals
seeking shelter in the tree.
Where do they sleep at night?
Do they nest or hide in a stronghold
Sheltered from the cold
The gray, the unending hard ground?
The body hardens against the harsh reality
and all I want to do is soften in that warm embrace.
Lead me by the hand
Yours warming my cold fingers
Gloves don’t keep out the cold.
I saw a glimpse of the sun
and I went outside to seek its wisdom
to bask in its glory
to soak up some rays.
The biting wind greeted me.
My strong legs carried me on
Hoping my body would soon warm up.
Stride after stride
We all want to be free
free from pain
free from hurt
free from isolation and a cold shoulder.
A warm smile greets me like a warm mug of tea
The whole room softens in your glow
The light of Imbolc, another of nature’s cues
The darkness is not a permanent state
The sun doesn’t always shine
It doesn’t have to rain or snow on a cold, gray day.
My emerald heart glows in your embrace
To walk upon the body of Earth.
Day of the Dead
Candy wrappers strewn here and there the only remnants that someone was there. Ghouls, ghosts and zombies all laid to rest the pumpkins and decorations, and all the rest The dark days descend on us the Day of the Dead bestow upon us. A peaceful hush is now abound. A bounty of gratitude is all around.
Step out of the darkness and into the light
Step out of the darkness and into the light. I am here with you. Fear can make you feel small. And like a seed without enough space to grow, Your potential cannot fully bloom. Step out of the darkness and into the light. Your authentic voice and story need to be told. Liberate yourself from the binds that hold you back. I am here with you. Do not look outside yourself for validation of Who you were meant to be. It is safe to shine your light. Give yourself permission to bloom. It was always yours for the taking. Step out of the darkness and into the light.
A Story
A single candle illuminates the window. The darkened pane dazzles in the light. What is behind the darkness? Ever mysterious and profound. I imagine what lies out of sight. Whose lives dream and weep Behind the darkened window? The truth does not matter. I am inspired for having dreamed a little. The imagined lives outside myself have lit an internal spark. An inspiration of what it means To live. And I reflect on my own full life.
Healing Insights 