a Midnight clear (Solstice 2020)

i'm fond of finding things

not as they seem

living in the zone

of maybe so

and in-between

how Reality may be

only a game

of pretend

and how the brooding

daunting darkness

can be our friend

but in times of despair

and despondent disease

it's tempting to ask

'who needs friends

like these?'

when all around us

without and within

it floods our Beings

as Light grows dim

and Hope is drowned

in waves of grief

with no vision profound

and no sign

of relief

how can friends

like these

help restore belief

that beneath

life's crushing load

where forms

are bending low

with painful steps

and slow

there is a Space

a Midnight clear

where warm embrace

meets all our fear

and traumatic tearfulness

and wounded weariness

is wrapped in welcome

and acceptance

in sacred Silence

and healing Grace?

on this longest night

and shortest day

to be able

to say

'this hurts'

without being talked

out of it

while being invited

to say more

about it

by well-meaning Beloveds

embracing the painful fact

engaging the radical Act

of allowing things

to hurt

sitting in the sorrow

with no Hope

of tomorrow

acknowledging our fear

in the Midnight clear

with nothing to say

could be the shift

that opens the way

for the greatest Gift

to be given

sparking that shaft

of comforting Light

the Star of Wonder

with Beauty bright

that enlightens our vision

restoring our sight

and enlivens our Spirits

renewing our hearts

and encourages our Beings

to remember this Wisdom

we've known from the start...

being hurt is hard

being heard helps.

#Advent2020 #Solstice2020 #BeingHurtIsHard #BeingHeardHelps

(inspired by Megan Devine and her powerful work with those experiencing deep grief and trauma from loss...see video below. 'Dark Night of the Soul' © Shar Bar Ley)