What is darkness? As a child so many other kids and people were scared of the physical aspect of the dark. Not knowing what was around you; blind to the elements. I loved and still love the dark. In its embrace I am me. No one can see me or what I do. There is no judgement in the dark. The darkness is also naturally peaceful and quiet (at least in the country side).
Growing up a preacher’s kid, I was exposed to the idea of another darkness: that which is opposite the light of Christianity. I try not to discuss religion, politics, guns or sex as a rule, because in the wrong conversations it creates a lot of animosity. I am one who has his beliefs and allows others to have theirs. I truly try to have no judgement on anyone’s decisions on belief and life.
That said, I do think there are other levels of darkness.
Evil darkness SHOULD BE polluted by light. There are people who exist only to cause heartache and physical pain to others. They live in a different kind of darkness of which I want no part.
The American Dictionary only defines darkness either as the absence of light (night) or evil/wickedness.
But I also think darkness is a place in which happy, good folk can reside. How do I put this to words? For some, their religion/belief revolves around the dark. Not the evil dark, but the night and all that involves. And, in that sense, there is beauty. There is beauty in the person, and the environment.
Outside at night I see so much. There is light in the moon and stars. But, artificial light pollutes this. In the same way, I believe those that live in their own peaceful dark can be polluted by artificial light as well. And those that live in the light can be polluted by dark. Is that convoluted enough?
I love both the dark and the light. I love the people in both.
So let not the beauty of your darkness be polluted by the light.
This poem I wrote just thinking about the topic of darkness. Read it for what it’s worth. For the record, I love my father very much. I will miss him when his time comes. But, when I was a kid, I felt he was very different than he is today. He wasn’t abusive by any means, but I did receive a few whippings that left whelps and marks. I did deserve some of them. Lol. Looking back, I can now see the effects of being stationed in a war zone. No matter if you are in direct line of fire or in the threat of it, it can effect you.
War Zone
I never knew why; you were so mean
You never saw combat as others had seen
But in the zone it spooked you as well
You brought it back, your personal hell
Little things, would set you off
My face with your hand, you would cuff
From the war zone of man, to the war zone of Christ
Love both the prose and the poetry section. This poem is an ode to darkness in its true sense, neither evil nor holy. And I agree hundred percent that all light is not good, specially in a city where you can’t see the beauty of the night sky. Nice to see you @ Poets United 🙂
I Love your exploration of the dark in all it’s way I like the night as here in NZ you can see a thousand stars. I am afraid in the pitch dark Love your poem in which you go back to your experiences with your dad I think that time was very different. So sweet in the end I love you pop …
I was surprised by the tone of forgiveness in the poem, but I shouldn’t be, given the wisdom in your preamble. There is a darkness that some are exposed to and then pass on to others. Lucky that the internalized war of the father wasn’t contagious. I’ve heard that it often is.
I think darkness, as an adjective, can apply to pretty much anything. But I always get a bit jumpy when the first people think about, when they hear the word “darkness” is evil. People’s minds (especially when limited to their own thinking and nothing more) can be truly strange places.
The poem made me nod a lot. Because I’ve seen it and it breaks my heart every time. Especially for the ones who aren’t lucky enough to get the chance to see that there is more out there.
I fully agree. I think it revolves around misunderstanding and just not knowing what “lurks” or is present. I’m afraid the poem is painting a darker image than I grew up in, but it’s not false. I definitely respected my father and yes, fear can keep us in the right side of obedience. Lol. If this wasn’t true there’d be no need for law enforcement.
I don’t disagree, that’s for sure. Times have changed over the years. My father loves his kids very much. He’d give me his last $5 for food on away games during high school football season. I still have tons of respect for him. I cherish each visit I have with him and my mom. From my child’s eye view, I didn’t understand. Looking back I can see the how and why. No regrets, I think I turned out fabulous. Lol.
The Every Man 
Love both the prose and the poetry section. This poem is an ode to darkness in its true sense, neither evil nor holy. And I agree hundred percent that all light is not good, specially in a city where you can’t see the beauty of the night sky. Nice to see you @ Poets United 🙂
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Thank you. I am enjoying this community very much.
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I Love your exploration of the dark in all it’s way I like the night as here in NZ you can see a thousand stars. I am afraid in the pitch dark Love your poem in which you go back to your experiences with your dad I think that time was very different. So sweet in the end I love you pop …
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I am my father’s son in a lot of ways. In other ways it’s day and night. Thank you for reading.
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I was surprised by the tone of forgiveness in the poem, but I shouldn’t be, given the wisdom in your preamble. There is a darkness that some are exposed to and then pass on to others. Lucky that the internalized war of the father wasn’t contagious. I’ve heard that it often is.
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Thank you. As a father, I disciplined my sons and required obedience, but made sure there was more joy and love given to them.
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Moving and heartfelt. Sometimes the people we love are the ones who hurt us most. And sometimes not intentional….*sigh
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Thank you.
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I think darkness, as an adjective, can apply to pretty much anything. But I always get a bit jumpy when the first people think about, when they hear the word “darkness” is evil. People’s minds (especially when limited to their own thinking and nothing more) can be truly strange places.
The poem made me nod a lot. Because I’ve seen it and it breaks my heart every time. Especially for the ones who aren’t lucky enough to get the chance to see that there is more out there.
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I fully agree. I think it revolves around misunderstanding and just not knowing what “lurks” or is present. I’m afraid the poem is painting a darker image than I grew up in, but it’s not false. I definitely respected my father and yes, fear can keep us in the right side of obedience. Lol. If this wasn’t true there’d be no need for law enforcement.
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I’ve always thought of respect, education, and communication as better deterrents than fear. Fear consumes too many good things for my liking.
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I don’t disagree, that’s for sure. Times have changed over the years. My father loves his kids very much. He’d give me his last $5 for food on away games during high school football season. I still have tons of respect for him. I cherish each visit I have with him and my mom. From my child’s eye view, I didn’t understand. Looking back I can see the how and why. No regrets, I think I turned out fabulous. Lol.
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem of family intimacy, and what it can cost, and how it can be forgiven.
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