It is summer yet, but barely—
some days already suitable for sweaters.
Light’s vast expanse is shrunk,
tailored ever tighter, as if the year
became obese but has been dieting
and will with winter shrink
to skeletal.
After eight, my dog and I go out
and find the yard is deep in darkness.
I thought to take a flashlight
to help us find our way, but discovered
that the scant rags of light left over
from the day’s rich finery
are enough for us.
Wendell Berry writes about a hunter
so exasperated by his temperamental
lantern that he tossed it down a hollow,
then proceeded better than before.
Perhaps I’ve huddled
close to lamps and lanterns overmuch.
The darkness has more light
than I imagined, and in it
I can see the stars.
Your post brings back memories of walking at night searching for the very darkest spot I could find – to see the stars. Thank you for sparking fond memories.
How are you doing? I hope you are well. Grace and peace to you…
I sometimes do the same thing at night! I’ve been doing well. I just came back from a few days in Northern Michigan. A good dose of nature is so restorative!
Wonderful imagery…takes me to days of camping and backpacking where I have mostly stumbled around in the dark without the use of a flashlight or head lamp…after awhile the darkness becomes strangely visible with the aid of stars and moonlight. Keep writing!
September 22, 2021 at 2:36 am
Your post brings back memories of walking at night searching for the very darkest spot I could find – to see the stars. Thank you for sparking fond memories.
How are you doing? I hope you are well. Grace and peace to you…
September 23, 2021 at 9:31 pm
I sometimes do the same thing at night! I’ve been doing well. I just came back from a few days in Northern Michigan. A good dose of nature is so restorative!
September 24, 2021 at 12:40 am
Wonderful imagery…takes me to days of camping and backpacking where I have mostly stumbled around in the dark without the use of a flashlight or head lamp…after awhile the darkness becomes strangely visible with the aid of stars and moonlight. Keep writing!
September 24, 2021 at 9:35 pm
Thanks, Peter! It is remarkable how we can eventually make things out in what seems to be total darkness.