Gift of Darkness

What if darkness isn’t something to fear,

but a requirement?

What if relaxing into the long night

is the secret?

I have sat alone in darkness

the quiet covering the bareness of my shoulders.

Unspoken feelings formed there and floated up in me,

pushed forward, heaved out.

Shadows gently held

emotions too elusive for the light.

Blinded by obscurity of thought,

my eyes eventually adjusted.

I saw that not seeing my surroundings

engaged my inner sight.

The blackness enveloped me;

I was finally still.

Clouds shifted.

A star peaked free.

The window made space for the moon’s glow.

Mystery hung in the air.

My breath

expanded.

Photo: Ed Sidrewicz