In this moment, shrouded by evening in waning October, as autumn tumbles towards winter, one knows acutely the sorrow in the losing of the light. One feels the pressing weight of the ever growing darkness, the stir of grief occasioned by the advancing cold.
There settles an all-consuming quiet, an absolute stillness. From this deep silence rises an almost imperceptible murmur, like a breathless whisper, as a hushed wind scours ghost-like across the arid, fallow ground. It is the sound of loss and longing.
This is a somber time, a time of endings, when the land has fallen dormant, empty. This is the barrenness of harvest or pestilence. This is death’s due vigil, when the realm is a’dance with specters.
rob kistner © 2019
This is death’s due vigil, when the realm is a’dance with specters.
Great line!
Thank you Dwight!
I feel this keenly: one knows acutely the sorrow in the losing of the light.
Thank you Grace. The shortening of the days, the losing of the light, brings a melancholy to my spirit. However, I find a kind of peace in the nights of the Christmas season, beginning with Thanksgiving. The feasts, the lights, the brisk air, people gathering close indoors by the fire, the gifting… 🙂 January however is my “darkest mood month”. I begin to come out of it in February as my son’s birthday is the 6th, Valentines day is the 14th (it’s an artificial holiday, but I choose to embrace the “love” aspect) — and February brings my b’day on the 18th. March moves smoothly for me as Daylight Savings Time returns on the 8th to lengthen the light, and that month is filled with the men’s and women’s college basketball championships! GO OREGON DUCKS!
That’s my husband’s birthday, too! And both daughters are also in February. 🙂
How cool Merril! Many great people are born in February. 😉
Absolutely beautiful tribute to life and death!
Thank you Kate!
Love the variance, where you leave so little hope, just a wish to sleep…
I am always drawn to the dark Björn, it is a place I find comfort!
This captures perfectly the melancholy of the season. The last paragraph is wonderful.
Thank you very much Merril, I am pleased you enjoyed this…