I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

19 April 2015

Contradicting Sir Terry

 “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it.” 

The warm darkness sits. The light
comes rushing in, breathless.

It plumps itself down
as in an armchair, and spreads,
taking up all the space.

But the darkness has not hurried
to get there first.

It was there already, always;
even before the beginning.
It was all there was —

Nothing and Everything;
the Everywhere. 

It shaped itself.
It became a womb,
it became a cradle.

God said,
‘Let there be Light’....

And afterwards
when we are finished, still
there shall be darkness.


Prompt 18 for 'Poems in April' at 'imaginary garden with real toads' is to be inspired by a Leonard Nimoy or Terry Pratchett quote.

Also linking to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #248


30 comments:

  1. "The light comes rushing in, breathless." For me it is night (darkness) when poetry comes.

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    1. So it was for me, for many years. Now it can be any time.

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  2. As always we know that darkness will always be there.. Always.

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  3. I really like the quote you chose and the way you have expanded on it here. The personification is very Pratchett-like.

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  4. love that quote, and what you did with it ~

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  5. The darkness never needs to hurry. It is always lurking, waiting to reclaim us... Powerful poem.

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  6. Meaningful distinction, making darkness a container, never the contained and never the opposite contender. Of course, Terry was being witty, and to my mind you are sharing mystical experience. Maybe you were just explaining science, but poetry is always more, isn't it?

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    1. No, you''re right about the distinctions I was drawing, which you have articulated perfectly, and about the mystical meaning. :)

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  7. One can't win them all! The way of life in its stark reality form. There are always winners and losers! Wonderful write Rosemary!

    Hank

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  8. Lovely response to that quote. I agree with Susan though I couldn't articulate the feeling into words like she did. I like your poem for it makes me think - thanks.

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  9. Deep but a pleasure to read. I like the way you spun off this quote.

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  10. Well, really if there is 'light' there has to be 'darkness' as well, otherwise one would not recognize the light, would one?

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  11. I like where you went with this........the reference to when all there was was darkness is very cool....I especially like the beginning, with the darkness sitting and the Light rushing in......

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  12. I like the way the light plumps itself down and spreads itself everywhere trying to mask the darkness...but it is futile...I do find solace in darkness sometimes and wish the light to be gone.

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  13. I love to see them both like the globe from the distance: some sides darker - some lighter depends how we change the perspective of viewing, almost like thru god's eye: both here under Glance....

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  14. ah...you played beautifully with the quote...darkness here seems to have no beginning and no end and shifts only for the time being...

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  15. darkness can be a friend. we were just programmed to be afraid but we should not. thanks for reminding me the beauty of darkness - being a part of life

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    1. Yes, I see darkness as a friend too, and hope my poem succeeded in conveying the sense of it being warm and embracing, even nurturing, as well as eternal.

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  16. Rosemary,

    It is as though, death is simply biding its time; the time of choosing..Darkness is present at all times and death is simply part of living..

    Eileen

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  17. I agree darkness tends to get there first..however your poem suggests light can be found and embraced if we look for it..

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  18. that contrast of light and dark is clear in your poem. I love the quote.

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  19. this is such an obvious one step further, yet you prompted us well .

    have a nice week Rosemary

    much love...

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  20. wonderful expansion of Pratchett's quote! love ~

    "It plumps itself down
    as in an armchair..."

    and your depiction of darkness...

    a brilliant piece!

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  21. Wonderful take on the Pratchett quote. This especially was centering and weighty:
    It was there already, always;
    even before the beginning.
    It was all there was —

    Nothing and Everything;
    the Everywhere.

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  22. Yes, it does just wait until light leaves. Much as Death waits.

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  23. Great quote and your take on it, and expansion of it, is absolutely exquisite!

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  24. Interesting that right from the beginning light and darkness have cohabited.

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