A shadow hastened by my path,
Dimming hope along it’s way,
Chased by a beam – its fleeting hold,
The shadow knew that it would quickly –
Be transformed by light.
The path viewed from the shadow,
With the light filtered ahead,
Knows that this brief shady moment,
Will be welcome respite,
That will help my journey today.
A shadow touched by light,
In sadness hope is restored,
Knowing the path that once was dimmed,
Gives the shadow a new perspective,
Light touching sadness becomes hope again.
Visited by Sadness
Recently in the midst of a really happy time I was visited by the shadow of depression. A year ago I was in the midst of depression from which I thought I would never emerge. This more recent brief touch was a reminder of its darkness. For those who have experienced depression they would know its debilitating effects. I think the most common expression that I have heard is that it’s like a fog, or life become a shadow of what it should be.
I wrote “A shadow touched by light”, to seek to understand this brief shadow and to reflect on where it began for me. I think it came from a sense of sadness over the brokenness that we all need to live with and the unease with the paradox of wanting to restore what was. However, I know that brokenness is not restored by repeating what was but by having the courage to create something new.
As I allowed the light to touch this knowing I was able to emerge into a place of hope again.
