walk in the darkness

 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

                     John 1:5

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the darkness is profound

this deep darkness of hate and fear

that blinds and leaves us groping

 

fearful we freeze, and cower

waiting, hoping for a glimmer of light

 

anxious we flail

striking out in the darkness

at whatever is out there, lurking, plotting

 

but we can learn to walk in the darkness*

 

in the darkness our world narrows down

our senses awake

small things become large

the sound of a pin dropping echoes in the night

 

the darkness is a time for learning

as the darkness of the world

the darkness of our souls

pulls all things in

to that black space

 

leaving us straining to see

to hear

to make sense of it

 

this dark night is a time for reflection

a time to breathe

a time to notice

the distractions gone

 

a time to hear the still small voice

 

what do we hear in this darkness?

what truths begin to emerge as our eyes

now wide open

begin to see? (if only vaguely)

 

and Whose hand do we find

to cling to

in the night?

 

Ah, I hate this darkness

as mobs assail

as politicians provocate and vacillate

as people threaten violence and death

the uprooting of all

revolution

 

as all those things we have come to rely on

crumble and erode

 

I love this darkness

as I am forced to look keenly

listen carefully

 

as I am driven into the deep dark places of my soul

where in the darkness I am met

and held

 

by Love