In this , the dark time
of long nights
and short dark days
we may long for
the emerging light.
But first, let us mourn awhile
our many losses
And, yes, let us grieve
for those who left
without a goodbye.
Let us live for a time
in this darkness
so that our hearts can heal,
so that our hearts can enlarge
through our pain.
For the totality of this darkness
does end, and what comes after
may depend on our facing
our ghosts and dragons
Or, perhaps we might see them
as our camouflaged angels.
If we wrestle with them like Jacob
did, we may surprise ourselves
and come come away limping
with a different name
words and pictures 