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A Poem To Celebrate The International Day of Light

 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. 


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Comments

  1. Janice Scully16 May 2025 at 12:42

    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.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright17 May 2025 at 09:39

      Thank you, Janice. Your own words come with light.

      Delete
  2. Ramona16 May 2025 at 12:54

    Light 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.

    And drive away the shadows of darkness

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ramona16 May 2025 at 12:55

      Meant to delete that last phrase . . .

      Delete
    2. Alan j Wright17 May 2025 at 09:41

      A 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.

      Delete
  3. Mrs. Davis16 May 2025 at 17:18

    thank you for introducing me to the international day of light. I love this idea.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright17 May 2025 at 09:42

      Pleased to facilitate the introduction. So glad you like it.

      Delete
  4. Carol Varsalona16 May 2025 at 21:14

    Alan, 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.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright17 May 2025 at 09:44

      Carol. pleased to add a different perspective. it pleases me to think these words have had a positive impact on your morning.

      Delete
  5. Rose Cappelli17 May 2025 at 07:16

    Light 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.

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    1. Alan j Wright17 May 2025 at 09:46

      My pleasure, Rose. Glad my poem has lightened the mood.

      Delete
  6. mbhmaine17 May 2025 at 20:03

    Alan, your word choice is spot on throughout your poem, and I love that ending line!

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    1. Alan j Wright18 May 2025 at 10:51

      Thanks, Molly. Glad you enjoyed my poem, 'Lighthearted.'

      Delete
  7. Karen Edmisten 18 May 2025 at 00:37

    "And grows hope" — lovely.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright18 May 2025 at 10:52

      Thanks, Karen. We need both light and hope to sustain us, no doubt about that.

      Delete
  8. Michelle Kogan18 May 2025 at 07:07

    Thanks 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.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright18 May 2025 at 10:52

      Fully agree with your sentiments, Michelle.

      Delete
  9. jlcjbuzz18 May 2025 at 09:42

    Alan, 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.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright18 May 2025 at 10:54

      Carol, appreciate your considered comments concerning light. May it shine across your day.

      Delete
  10. Alan j Wright19 May 2025 at 22:29

    Laura, thankyou for your most generous response. I appreciate it very much. I keenly look forward to seeing your poem.

    ReplyDelete

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