THE LIGHT

During this month of December, our hospice chaplains are presenting to staff different beliefs, customs and religions that are celebrated throughout the world. One of the chaplains came to me to write a poem about the importance of one of these rituals; the Winter Solstice, and Yalda Night. Part of the Yalda Night includes the reading of poetry. December 21st, being the shortest day of the year, and Yalda Night are celebrated concurrently. Both cultures celebrate the importance of light.

Per his request to write a poem, I came home tonight and wrote a poem about Light. I will give him a copy tomorrow and will be honored to read it to the staff on December 21st. What an honor.


THE LIGHT

Cultures worldwide honor the light
on Winter Solstice, Yalda Night and Yule.
Celebrating hues of dawn and the glow of life
on the longest, darkest night of the year.

The symbolic rituals are alive in December,
but we all acknowledge that light year round.
It is subtle and we may not quickly notice,
but the presence of light is powerful and strong.

We notice the light in another's eyes.
The light that shines in one's heart.
Filling one's cup with positive thoughts.
Energy of goodness, peace and pure love.

At the end of one's life we say, "Go to the light.
They are waiting for you with open arms.
We will miss you, but it is your time.
The light will guide your way."

So keep celebrating as long as you can.
The light is everything good.
Centuries of rituals have kept the light strong.
The darkness will always crumble
as nothing is as powerful as
                                   "The Light."