Sight and the Soul
A Poem by Bethany Peck
The nights have been long,
like my soul has felt too,
and the cold has kept me
under bed covers
while my heart has needed hibernation.
I’ve been both afraid
and befriending of the winter,
wondering when the season of darkness will end
while wishing I could keep cocooning,
letting the rest restore to my core.
But my canine companion
has pulled me from my comfort
on this morning
and I’m stronger now,
to set out alone,
while he runs circles,
and me, moving slowly, yet alive,
gratitude grounding my steps
that crunch the crystals of frosted terrain
glittering like the stars that are starting to dim.
In the depth of my eyes
where sight signals emotion,
the awakening brightness
sparks something warm
as I watch for the dawn.
What is it? I wonder,
welcoming first light, as my
optic nerves receive the softening of deep blues,
while sending a deeper message
that starts to seep into my soul.
The sun is just on the horizon now,
and the night I once thought endless
has let me leave shadows behind,
while my slowed breath strengthened my lungs
so I’m able to absorb the chill,
and stretch my legs to go forward.
All of me now knows it,
the growing light
glows from within too
for a new day will soon be here.
Gazing east, blazing light breaks,
as beams of light filter through
tree limbs lifted like arms of praise
and every fiber of my being
hums along a song of wonder,
for it’s not just Christmas morn,
light has come to my life again.
With eyes flitting for the brilliance,
and my skin nipped by frosted air,
this awaited day, these sensations show
how hope is enfleshed.
Bethany is a writer and photographer living near the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in northeastern Maryland. She loves nature and writes about experiencing God's love through creation at bethanypeck.org and on Instagram at @beautiful_purpose_writing. In her day job, she gets to write stories for local ministries in the Baltimore area. She and her dog Hunter stay active by hiking, kayaking, and enjoying long evening walks.
