Darkness and Light

It occurs to me that we are perhaps at our human best when we set aside our hubris and recognize our imperfections, our challenges, our humanity – that is, that we are all just feeling our way through.  This occurred to me today reading an Emily Dickinson poem, untitled as many are.  Never a Dickinson fan, but this one wins me over for her ability to convey much in little space, and to do so with some dry humor mixed in – at least I think she was being humorous.  Oh, and I love her free use of dashes, which I rely on a good deal, always assuming that such is frowned on by those who know.

We grow accustomed to the Dark –

When light is put away –

As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp

To witness her Goodbye –

A Moment – we uncertain step

For newness of the night –

Then – fit our Vision to the Dark –

And meet the Road – erect –

And so of larter – Darkness –

Those Evenings of the Brain –

When not a Moon disclose a sign –

Or Star – come out – within –

The Bravest – grope a little –

And sometimes hit a Tree

Directly in the Forehead –

But as they learn to see –

Either the Darkness alters –

Or something in the sight

Adjusts itself to Midnight –

And Life steps almost straight.

Wow. 

“We uncertain step for the newness of the night – Then – fit our Vision to the Dark –And meet the Road – erect — “

“But as they learn to see – either the Darkness alters – Or something in the sight Adjusts itself to Midnight – And Life steps almost straight.”

Such hope in those last words – “And Life steps almost straight.”