My child, I say, you need not fear the night—
its unlit corners, rooms of dim unknown—
the darkness helps us learn beyond the light.
But mom, how do I know that you’re alright
if I can’t see you? I feel so alone.
My child, I say, there’s goodness in the night.
The dark erases any lines we might
have drawn, makes all the world appear as one.
The dark helps us to see beyond the light.
But mom, I don’t feel safe without my sight.
What if there’s monsters, spiders, things that groan?
My child, I say, there’s kindness in the night.
You feel how darkness holds the whole world tight?
Embracing every human, creature, stone—
the darkness helps us reach beyond the light.
It hugs us all, despite our wrongs, our rights,
inviting everyone into its home.
My child, I say, you need not fear the night—
the darkness helps us love beyond the light.
YES!!!!
Oh, how I so very fully love this villanelle. (Can you see me melting, from here?) And it’s come at a moment when I need its reminders, its wise comfort.
Of course, I’m gonna steal from this for our menu board’s, Quote[s] of the Day. (“All writers borrow; smart writers steal.”)
A bouquet of kiitos to you, for this poem.
Sweet friend, I’m so glad you liked this one. It was fun to write a villanelle … it’s been a while. And the dark, well, you know how it sings to me. Thank you for your support, your ever thoughtful Ed-ness.
Wow, Rosemerry – thank you for this poem!
thank you, Betsy! I owe it to Rilke, my falling in love with the dark.
Every day, you bring us beauty.
you just made my day. thank you, thank you for receiving the poems, Deborah.
I’ve been reading your poems every day when I get the email, and this one I loved so much I just had to come find it and tell you! I love the repetition, the sort of nursery rhyme feel, and the beautiful dark beauty of the whole poem. Thank you so much for this poem. And I thought I’d tell you that I’m always reading and enjoying your poems via email, even when I don’t come here and tell you, they’re the highlight of my day!
Thank you for joining me in this poeming practice … I appreciate your feedback enormously. And thanks for making the time to respond!
This is beautiful, thank you.
Thank you for reading it!
Lovely, Rosemerry. The comfort and inclusiveness of the dark really shine through in this poem, 😉 and I plan to share it with my grandchildren.
thank you, Ruby, and, by the way, thank you for all the beautiful work you did on Poetry of Presence. I can’t tell you how many incredible conversations I have had thanks to that book, not to mention personal epiphanies and hours of bliss.