For Courage - John O'Donohue

[Larry Robinson]

Dear poetry lovers,
      I have been hiking in the Himalayas for the past week, out of internet range but acutely aware of the suffering of my Sonoma County community from the fires devastating our region. Before I left for the mountains I learned that many friends had lost their homes and others had been ordered to evacuate not knowing if they would have homes to return to.
     I offer this poem by John O' Donohue as medicine for all my friends and neighbors whose lives have been touched by this tragedy.
Larry

For Courage

When the light around you lessens
And your thoughts darken until
Your body feels fear turn
Cold as a stone inside,

When you find yourself bereft
Of any belief in yourself
And all you unknowingly 
Leaned on has fallen,

When one voice commands
Your whole heart,
And it is raven dark,

Steady yourself and see
That is your own thinking 
That darkens your world,

Search and you will find
A diamond-thought of light,

Know that you are not alone
And that this darkness has purpose;
Gradually it will school your eyes
To find the one gift your life requires
Hidden within this night-corner.
		
Invoke the learning
Of every suffering
You have suffered.

Close your eyes.
Gather all the kindling
About your heart
To create one spark.
That is all you need
To nourish the flame
That will cleanse the dark
Of its weight of festered fear.

A new confidence will come alive
To urge you toward higher ground
Where your imagination
Will learn to engage difficulty
As its most rewarding threshold!

				-John O'Donohue




"Be joyful though you have considered all the facts."
    - Wendell Berry