“Come forth into the light of things
Let Nature be your teacher” – Wordsworth, ‘The Tables Turned‘
I’ve taken time out from the online world
stepped into otherworlds
explored liminal spaces
with you
Everything is shining
each and every day
around each and every one of us
we’re blinded by the things we feel we ought to do:
Step outside on a sunny day, and it’s easy to see it
but the real sunlight comes from within
‘the sunlight of the Spirit’*
comes from passing a derelict building
in rain, under a slate-grey sky
listening to your music
brings a smile to my heart
and a tear to my eye
© 2022 experimentsinfiction.com. All Rights Reserved.
*from the ‘Big Book’ of Alcoholics Anonymous, p.66
Written for earthweal
For this week’s earthweal challenge, Brendan has asked us to ‘write of WILD MIND. How does green fire take root in the thought of our poems?‘ He draws to our attention the fact that we are, as I have noted in a previous poem, sleepwalking into Armageddon. He asks us to consider how the online world is leading us away from the natural, the wild world:
“Wildness is a resource that cries for renewal. Yet the center where it’s found — inside as much as the wilderness without — is a battered boreal forest we romanticize too much while stumbling around in its fumes.”
In this short poem, I considered wildnesses both internal and external, and the boundaries between them. Whether seeing the light at the heart of all things will be enough to save us, I don’t know. But I think if more people were able to see it we, as a species, would be more sensitive and compassionate custodians of the natural world.
Featured image:
Detail from Excavations for the High Level Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne c.1846
Thomas Miles Richardson I (1784–1848)
Oil on canvas
H 96.7 x W 83.2 cm
Laing Art Gallery
Light and energy, it’s WHAT we are. Wouldn’t we be heading to the same harmonious place if we could just followed the light? Everything has a soul. Everything. Wouldn’t we be changed if we understood this? But, light will eventually seep through the gaps– it already is. Light cannot be contained. We just need to come to terms to identifying what the next right move is. And the next after that and so on until all is covered in light (which is all the positive things we want for our world).
Your poetry is sublime. To me it talks about recognizing our powerbase (light) and aligning it with the light in others. And then simple pleasures like smiling will light the moment further. I love it. Thanks for sharing. Splendid. xoxo
Thank you so much for this beautiful comment, Selma. We obviously think along the same lines. Now we just need to wait on the rest of the world waking up to the love and the light ❤️
It’s a tightrope.
Lost in music, lost in beautiful thoughts; different sides of the same dice. We are what we feel, at that moment. 💖
Yes, I agree! 😊
Wonderful poem and interesting thoughts about our online world and the natural world. Must checkBrendan and earthweal out again but living with little data and poor reception now
Ironically, the internet also connects us and enables us to share our poetry! Thank you for stopping by 😊
Your poem is both enlightening and and heartwarming Ingrid … And the Earthwheel reminds me of two wonderful quotes, by two great poets, from two different eras …
Leonard Cohen … “As a poet, sometimes we confuse ourselves, Trying to create ashes, instead of fire ”
Walt Whitman … “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering… these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love… these are what we stay alive for.”
Cheers … 😊🌞
Yes, and yes! 😊 I think the Whitman is quoted by Robin Williams in ‘Dead Poet’s Society?’
You’re right 😊🤗
Funny, online is all about rushing from one shiny thing to the next — but nothing shines enough. This invitation to bask in the sunlight in the spirit (amen) requires a response which should be a no-brainer, if we had one any more. It takes a wild mind to be singing in the rain — which is just the point! Well done, & thanks —
Thank you Brendan!
Attention, and the fine tuning of all our senses–exactly what so much of our distracted screen life lacks. (K)
I agree! Thank you Kerfe.
Exceptional piece of writing, Ingrid!❤️ We are lead away from the natural world only because we allow it. I guess balance is the keyword. 🙂
Thank you, Punam 🥰
You are welcome. 🥰
That second stanza is the one that hitt home for me. Great writing Ingrid!
Thanks Kim 🙏
That shining within is something special and something to appreciate, along with the beauty we can find in nature even in the bleakest times.
Weirdly, without me seeing your poem or Earthweal, we wrote a bit on the same theme again today. 😊
Perhaps our muses have been talking with one another! 😊
Perhaps so. 😊
Great message! I feel blinded at times but then I close my eyes, and with a little intention, I can put a soft focus on it all, and choose to set my mind on those things, which you write, “brings a smile to my heart.” 💓
Thanks Tricia 🤗
I try to take time out from the online world but still, here I am. Moderate doses, I guess is the key. It does distract from what’s right in front of us. And a huge distraction of one is a writer. Thanks.
There are good things about it too, like being able to share our poetry and thoughts! Everything in balance I suppose 😊
What a great revelation, my dear Ingrid. Your words reach the soul and embrace it with much light and warmth. Look at this part:
but the real sunlight comes from within
‘the sunlight of the Spirit’*
comes from passing a derelict building site
…
Very true, beautifully and wisely writen.
Thank you so much, Lamittan. Glad you enjoyed this!
Sure I did. You’re most welcome, Ingrid dear. 💖
Truer words have not been written, Ingrid.
<3
David
Thank you kindly David 🙏
ahhh such beautiful words dear Ingrid and brilliant you were able to drum that little piece of magic up in poetry to spotlight our inner world light.
Thank you dear!
💖👏🌈
Thank you Cindy: gotta keep that inner light shining 🌟
Yes we do!!! 💖💖🌈
Well done, Ingrid!
Deft.
Thanks Nick! 👌
aw, don’t be daft x
😅 x
‘the sunlight of the Spirit’* – this is so gorgeously said!! I loved this beautiful poetry.
Thank you 🙏
I totally agree – the sunshine that lights the heart is the light of spirit. What a lovely poem.
Thanks Suzanne 😊
A beautiful message, Ingrid. Multiple messages. Let your light shine! 🌟
Thanks Michele 🤗
Love the poem and the message, Ingrid. When we have that connection deep inside, everything takes on a new radiance. Lovely poem!
Thank you Jeff! 🙏
Most welcome, Ingrid! 🙏
I like the way this poem moves, Ingrid, from the internal to the external and back again. It’s spare, compact, beautifully written. JIM
Thanks JIM!
“Step outside on a sunny day, and it’s easy to see it
but the real sunlight comes from within . . .” In country and city, we try to open our hearts. Splendid poem.
Thank you Susan 😊
A beautiful, moving poem! I so love the connective imagery, gorgeous scents alive in words, and nature-ful emotion!
I am glad you appreciated this, Jaya, thank you!
You have conveyed good messages to all through this beautiful poem, dear Ingrid ❤️
Thank you, Jane, I did hope to do that!
Most welcome dear! 👍🏻
You draw your picture well, Ingrid. So much progress, so little value for it, and so much foolishness, stress and waste because we will not realize we are part of this magical thing called the planet earth. I especially love your second stanza.
‘we’re blinded by the things we feel we ought to do’ – absolutely!
Sometimes we just need to let them go!