Residencies at Denali National Park in Alaska
September 5, 2011To acquire
September 26, 2011I commend those who commemorated this day with services and events that look forward and come from a place of wanting to create positive change, those who search for the light, even when discouragement, death and suffering seem to multiply daily.
I share this poem by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. I discovered it thanks to a fun iPhone app from The Poetry Foundation. Harper was a 19th century African American poet and civil rights activist. Her bio is an inspiration for those determined to change the world whether it is through small steps, big steps, within systems or against systems. Her accomplishments were great; she published collections of poetry, supported her family through public speaking events, and participated in many civil rights organizations. Read more about her here.
Let the Light Enter
The Dying Words of Goethe
“Light! more light! the shadows deepen, And my life is ebbing low, Throw the windows widely open: Light! more light! before I go. “Softly let the balmy sunshine Play around my dying bed, E’er the dimly lighted valley I with lonely feet must tread. “Light! more light! for Death is weaving Shadows ‘round my waning sight, And I fain would gaze upon him Through a stream of earthly light.” Not for greater gifts of genius; Not for thoughts more grandly bright, All the dying poet whispers Is a prayer for light, more light. Heeds he not the gathered laurels, Fading slowly from his sight; All the poet’s aspirations Centre in that prayer for light. Gracious Saviour, when life’s day-dreams Melt and vanish from the sight, May our dim and longing vision Then be blessed with light, more light.