Today is The International Day of Light. Today we celebrate light and its role in science culture, art, education and development. Light is critical to our survival on earth and the survival of animals, plants and smaller organisms. For me, the meaning of life is inextricably connected to shining light into dark places, for it is a sanitizer.
'There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.'
Amanda Gorman
And so I shall enlighten you, dear reader with a poem to celebrate this special day.
Becoming Lighthearted
Don’t hide your light under a bushel
-Or down the back of the couch for that matter
Gather up all the light you can muster
And drive away the shadows of darkness
Release it willingly
Light’s journey
Is endless
It penetrates the horror of war zones
It visits shattered lives
Fractured communities
Sharing its restorative grace
It delivers solace to fractured hearts
Offering renewed hope and a hand up
It hands a stranger a smile and a cup of tea
Light is a soothing balm across a busy day
It draws attention to the far horizon
And grows hope
Yet it requests nothing in return
Release the light you hold, to brighten the way for others.
©Alan J Wright
Today is Poetry Friday and our host on this occasion is Ramona at Pleasures From The Page. Ramona uses George Ella Lyon's "Where I'm From" to launch her own poem extensively detailing where she is from.
Alan, I love thinking about the many ways light is present, and I’m thinking of truth and how it is a cleanser of sorts. You also remind us that we ourselves hold precious light. Your poem is light.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. Your own words come with light.
DeleteLight was my OLW several years ago and I've kept the decorative word daughter painted for me. Now I want to save your poem for my book of poems & quotes. There's so much to love in your words, especially "Gather up all the light you can muster/And drive away the shadows of darkness." I could adopt this as a daily mantra. I also love "a solace to fractured hearts /Offering renewed hope and a hand up." Thanks for your delightful, light-fillled poem.
ReplyDeleteAnd drive away the shadows of darkness
Meant to delete that last phrase . . .
DeleteA bit of synchronicity there, Ramona. Pleased you want to save my poem. It helps it to maintain a heartbeat. Thank you for your kind remarks.
Deletethank you for introducing me to the international day of light. I love this idea.
ReplyDeletePleased to facilitate the introduction. So glad you like it.
DeleteAlan, light has take a new stance in my life lately. Your words have brought a new way to look at life through light: offering a restorative grace while driving away the shadows of darkness. Thank you for this bright spot to start my morning.
ReplyDeleteCarol. pleased to add a different perspective. it pleases me to think these words have had a positive impact on your morning.
DeleteLight is my OLW for this year, Alan, so I am deLIGHTed that you introduced me to The International Day of Light. Your poem is hopeful and full of promise. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Rose. Glad my poem has lightened the mood.
DeleteAlan, your word choice is spot on throughout your poem, and I love that ending line!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly. Glad you enjoyed my poem, 'Lighthearted.'
Delete"And grows hope" — lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. We need both light and hope to sustain us, no doubt about that.
DeleteThanks for illuminating light and sharing it with all of us. Such an important element that we all need and often take for granted. Yes it sure lifts spirits and offers a wee bit of hope when all seems for-naught.
ReplyDeleteFully agree with your sentiments, Michelle.
DeleteAlan, Light is wondrous, I agree. It's needed for all except those very rare see creatures that live in the ocean depths and I suppose, those that live underground or in caves. I am a light sensitive person - for when I don't get enough I suffer. I also believe certain people eminate their light better than others. But no one should hide it - you're so right about that. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCarol, appreciate your considered comments concerning light. May it shine across your day.
DeleteLaura, thankyou for your most generous response. I appreciate it very much. I keenly look forward to seeing your poem.
ReplyDelete