The Dark Abounding

Words for the winter solstice

Image by Nicole Köhler from Pixabay

the dark abounding

“it is all one thing, 
the shining, the seeing,
the dark abounding.”  Ursula K. LeGuin

In the dark abounding
of these winter nights,
in shadows thickened 
by the absence of the sun,

I am alone, 
without horizon—
that distant but faithful
companion of the eye.

But the moonless night kindly
offers a shining dome 
of faraway stars.
And I, in reply,
unfold my arms,
unshield my heart, surprised 
when each hand receives 
and delivers a gift 
of touch.

Discovering others
near me in the night,
all of us fallen stars, 
the dust of ancient light
woven within.

This warmth I find 
in you, reminds me: we, 
grounded here
in earthly constellations,
are not alone, even 
and especially 
in the dark abounding.
I give you
my hand.
                 Karen Hering

Friends, as the winter solstice approaches and the nights grow long, I take heart in knowing none of us is alone. And all of us carry a sacred spark within. Together, we will find our way through the shadowed times to come.

In the spirit of this season’s gifts of darkness and light both, I’ve shared two songs below to accompany these long nights, the first from singer/songwriter Lea Morris. The second, a COVID-era recording of the song “One Candle, One Flame,” by Linda Sobo.

Take good care, friends. Keep stretching out your arms to find the ones beside you.

Karen