How do you feel about the imminent approach of Winter?
Are you a huddler into sweater and by fireside, or maybe an outdoors adventurer savouring cold wind biting cheeks and snow falling on face?
Much depends on our health and how our moods reflect the seasons.
Especially for those who suffer from SAD, with the nights drawing in, weather becoming increasingly cooler, and darkness descending on our daylight hours, it can often feel like we’re in a closed off place and space, removed from others and even strangers to ourselves.
Our souls long for light and bright, welcoming warmth, celebrating cosy and comforting.
The poem below was written in sympathy and empathy for all who feel isolated by their circumstances and crave change for the better.
‘As bulbs’
As bulbs lie dormant in dark places
with calm expectancy of life to come
so we go through dark nights of the soul
when all feels hushed and numb,
cloaked, concealed and muffled
with neither sight nor sound
nor word of encouragement in any measure
can seemingly be found
in landscape dry, barren and bleak
where we have shuffled slow
with moan and sigh
waiting for God to speak.
Have we been forgotten, left to our own devices,
or can we sense midst the gloom of feeling rotten
that a flicker of hope rises within and
Someone really is close by us here
who sees and understands, holds us safe
and deeply cares?
Throughout the days of hurt and pain
we discover all is not lost as we had thought,
and faith rises bright
as we turn again to the One
who paid a great cost to lift us
out of any pit we may have fallen in
back into His radiant Light.
©JoyLenton2013
Poetry Joy 
Joy,
Enjoyed your poem. I suffer from SAD but have found a lot of help with one of those bulbs that imitates daylight. I am sitting under it now as I write this comment.
I used to say I was part bear, just let me hibernate and wake me in the spring.
The things I look forward to are candles lit, especially with some fragrance. And cups of hot chamomile tea.
Since I have used this lamp the shorter days no longer affect me as deeply as they had.
Anne, I have tried daylight lamps with varying degrees of success in the past. Now, I lean more toward the aromatherapy, cosy candles, soft lighting, “cups of hot chamomile tea” and chocolate route! We all need to find our own way through the dark days with a degree of tranquility and equanimity. Thinking of you, my friend. Blessings 🙂 x
so true ! the deepest of god’s work in us is often in the darkness
Oh, definitely, Pat. I can really relate to that! Although we don’t always see it as such at the time. Hindsight is a great teacher. Blessings.
Beautifully written, Joy, and a pleasure to read this morning. I enjoyed your allusion to the unseen Someone standing near in those dark and awful placed, not always perceived, but always close by. Good job!
Thank you, Neil! Your perceptions of my poetry are always a joy to read. We are forever deeply thankful for the Lord’s presence in our darkest days and nights.
Dear Joy
Oh, we get to these places where we cannot believe anymore and we are nothing more than flickering flames with the only hope that our Lord will never quench the little light that shimmers in the darkness. When I am at that desolate place I always cry out to our Lord Jesus to believe in my stead and He does. Great poem, dear friend.
Blessings XX
Mia
Dear Mia, you are a bright shining star to me! I love your thoughts and how you express them. Crying out to Jesus to “believe in my stead” is a wise thing to do. Our Lord is ever faithful. This “little light that shimmers in the darkness” is so grateful to know you and read your insights. Thanks very much for your sweet words. Bless you, my friend. Xx
This is lovely. 🙂 Thank you … am sharing this with some friends who find winter hard!
Thank you, Philippa! If you think it might help someone then please be my guest. Blessings 🙂 x