Blessed darkness, sacred light

Here where the symbols

have worn thin—

Thin enough for holes

and transparent patches

Broken threads dangling by threads

Small connections lost

throughout the fabric

Here where the symbols have worn thin

from overuse, and being used to carry

that which shares no essence

with their purpose

That which seeks to co-opt 

all we value

Here where darkness offers

welcome respite from the blaring signs

I seek to bow my head and close my eyes—

To take the time

for that deep stillness

and the darkness of my waiting silence

to form a frame to see the sacred light.

©Wendy Mulhern

December 23, 2011