To sense the depth of darkness
simply close your eyes and see.
All within, a starless night,
never knowing, never free.
In this there is no sense,
of all the lonely living there.
Only feeling lost inside
the emptiness you wear.
Light reflecting in our eyes,
returns to us a dawn.
Awake to colors of the day,
the night of fear is gone.
When you share your light,
do my eyes betray my face?
Then be the mirror of my soul,
a messenger of grace.
In a moment while we slept,
in the darkness will we live?
When asked in light of justice,
what answer will we give?
This poem was originally written and dedicated to all those affected by the tragedy that took place in Cheshire, CT on the morning of July 23, 2007. In light of the recent tragedy in Aurora, CO., I am posting it here, as a reflection on the meaning of these moments of seemingly senseless violence in and around our lives.
John Donne stated it well enough in his Meditation 17 that we should; “never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” He goes on the say; “every man’s death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind.” We are all involved in these tragedies …
Another tear in humanity’s heart x
Tear or tear – either way it has left a mark in innocent blood …
Bless you Peter for this. As my friend, Robyn Lee says also, we are all universally connected. You are so right that when tragedy like this occurs, we are all affected.
Like a storm across the Valley we are all rained upon …
A totally perfect post to honor and remember those in Aurora, CO! We are ALL losers from this horrible violence; yes, we are, grandfather!
Yes, we have sold a piece of our humanity, paid for it with blood …
This gave me chills. God! I loved it! Linda
Many of us we sleeping when all this transpired, both in Cheshire, and in Aurora ….
Beautiful poem, and I love the John Donne quote – and the last line of your post. We ARE all involved in these tragedies. Thank you, Grandfathersky.
I am sure it was as ever present in his time as it remains in ours …