Longtime Community member Patrick Newman sends us a poem by Carla Desrosiers, who survived a bad car accident that killed her husband – his nephew. She went on through a long recuperation to marry again and have a family. So, although not an especially religious person, she knows about Light and Darkness.

Winter sunrise PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

WINTER GLOW

Blackness borders shrunken days;
The weakened, chastened sunshine rays
Appear resigned to lose the fight
Against the dark, encroaching night…

Quick! Strike a flame! Let’s help the sun
Hold back the darkness! Everyone –
Raise up a candle, light a spark!
We won’t surrender to the dark…

We’ll BE the light – just watch us glow;
Illuminating smiles show
Where Kindness, Love, and Laughter dance
The Dark and Cold don’t stand a chance!

by Carla Desrosiers

Cross at Church of New Epiphany. PHOTO: Tom Fee

  LONELY PEOPLE ON A CROWDED BEACH

                                                    The ocean breeze teases skin and hair

                                         as the carefree sound of children

                                                                             is carried across the sand.

                                                    The beach is covered with sand, small twigs

                                        and people–

                                                                  people together

                                                                                            yet alone and lonely.

                                                    Couples paired off

                                                                             distant physically from the others

                                        A great deal distant emotionally

                                                                                                      from the others

                                       somewhat distant

                                                                            from each other

                                       and each within himself

                                                                                        a stranger.

 From Love and Other Painful Joys  (1970)  by Tom McFee (aka Tom Fee)