12.15.2012

Lighting the Dark Corners



"And the world will still be imperfect, because men are imperfect. Good men will still be killed by bad, or sometimes by other good men, and there will still be pain and disease and famine, anger and hate. But if you work and care and are watchful, as we have tried to be for you, then in the long run the worse will never, ever, triumph over the better. And the gifts put into some men, that shine as bright as Eirias the sword, shall light the dark corners of life for all the rest, in so brave a world.” 
                                                                                                                                                                                                --Susan Cooper, SILVER ON THE TREE

Today is aftermath—the aftermath of the tragic, senseless shooting of children and adults in Newtown, Connecticut. We’ve all of us been delivered a tragic, senseless blow—yet one more act of darkness in a world where so many of us are try to keep lights lit even as we discover new shadows every day.

I can't think I'm alone in feeling ill-at-ease today, anxious, distracted; feeling I’m on the verge of hurtling down a hill, about to scream, about to rage—but I’m unable to focus, to do anything particular, to make any noise. Tears come for no reason—or, rather, for anger, for helplessness, for sharing in grief.

In my unrest, I find myself turning to this blog—to write. To write. To create something strong of myself and my heart that can’t be shot down, can’t be ripped apart or away, and that can help me to heal.  However we find ways to heal, we must—and in doing so, we create something precious for the world that might help to replace the precious the world’s lost. Write, paint, sing, dance, walk in nature, breathe deeply, and love fiercely. As we reach out to friends, to family, to others, so too must we reach inside to be gentle with ourselves. And we must remind ourselves we do carry the light necessary to light the dark corners, vanquishing one shadow at a time.

(c) emma d dryden, drydenbks LLC

19 comments:

  1. May our poetry and prose be a salve to wounded hearts.

    Thank you, Emma.

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  2. Thank you for sharing ... any life lost needlessly is a tragedy. But somehow so many small, lively minds wiped out hurt like needles piercing the flesh. Sitting here, working on illustrations for small minds to explore .... I can't help having those children constantly on my mind and in my heart. So I will try to do the best I can, for other minds that may look upon my work. It's the best thing I can do right now.

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  3. Eloquent! My dark corner is a bit brighter now. Thank YOU!

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  4. Thank you, Emma, thank you.

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  5. Thank you for this...and too, for bringing me to my writing in the face of fear.

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  6. Lovely, beautiful post, Emma...thank you...

    Donna L Martin

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  7. Thank you. You eloquently said it.

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  8. Beautifully said. Hearts far and wide reach out to those in the USA. Thankyou Emma!

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  9. So beautifully said--thank you.

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  10. Emma, this post is what gave me the courage to sit down and write my own in the wake of this tragedy. Thank you for writing it and for stating so truly and eloquently what we must do to heal and bring healing.

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    1. How lovely, Julie. Thank you. And thanks, too, for your beautiful words about being the guardians of childhood. Yes we are!

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  11. Simply beautiful! You brought tears to my eyes, and strengthened my heart. In the end the light will overcome the darkness. And we are that light.

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    1. Thanks so much. It's important to remember that what we do helps children in so many significant ways.

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  12. Words to lean on. Thank you, Emma.

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  13. Anonymous12/16/2012

    Wow, thank your for sharing your gift of expressing what we are feeling...when at times it feels like there are hardly words that exist that cold possibly do the job. And thanks for the reminder tha we are all the light and we are still burning brightly.

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  14. As a human and espcially as a mother, I am wounded by the sensle waste and violent end to little lives. I cannot imagine how parents go on. I think your instinct to give by creating shows the best part of the human spirit.

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  15. Interesting article. It really makes you think, doesn't it? Thank you for taking the time to write this wonderful piece, it really makes you wonder about what more is in store for us out there.

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