Darkness in Peacetime

 

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How rare to find total darkness—
the kind in a closely draped room with a firmly locked door
or the kind with windows but no moon
the kind behind gently closed eyes
the kind that heightens other senses beyond sight.
 
Especially if you know where you are—
so panic doesn’t prevent movement and break your breath
so you aren’t waiting for blasts and sharp lights and pain
so you aren’t caught between calling out and utter silence
so you aren’t mourning loss too harsh for words.
 
In the dark, when the outlines are familiar and
when you can touch, hear, and smell comfort
when you can imagine what is outside and
can meditate on what rises inside
then creativity flowers.
 
How I love the comfort of darkness
with you helping me to feel myself
or alone, tasting the words that rise up and say
remember me until morning, remember
me until tomorrow, plant me and let me grow.

 For Sherry's prompt "The Dark" at What's Going On? 

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© 2025 Susan L. Chast