I Seek Light

I seek light

In the darkness

Wherever I can

Whenever I can

 

It cannot be helped—this seeking

By my own doing

Or my determination

Or my strength

 

It happens without me knowing

Suddenly

There it is a light

Shining in the darkness

As if it is the light

Doing the seeking

 

Dancing candlelight

Draws me to it

But so do city lights that reflect

Off glistening streets

And lights that shine

Through doors and windows

And Solar lights that create

Starbursts when the darkness comes

 

So do

Winter lights from Christmas trees

And racing lights from passing cars

And midnight light in dying embers

And summer evening lightning flashes

That accompany low rumbles and the smell of rain

 

But the light that

Speaks to me most

Is the light

Of the sun and stars

And moon

The ancient ones

Who carry for us

What seems like endless gifts

Lighting this planet

Through millions of moments of time

Casting full brightness

And creating dim shadows

Where hope and promise

Are quietly revealed

 

Always, always

The soft light of Dark Night draws me

To the Light of the world

Who tells me

To look for light everywhere

In the darkness

To be the light wherever I am

In the darkness

 

I struggle with that notion

I ask how,

How can I shine bright enough to make a difference

In someone’s life?

 

The answer comes in a whisper

For one moment, try

For one person, try

 

And so today

I light a candle

For you

So that you will know

I am trying

 

 

Poem and photo © C. Alicia Randolph

15 July 2019