Season of Light

upon black mountains
dark storm breaks open, spills out
snowy streams of light

It seems that every holiday event I've attended thus far has focused on light. I think it says something about humanity that we all (and by all, I mean major religions that my friends observe) find in this dark season a reason to celebrate light. Of course, I know that it isn't the same, cold December the world over, and certainly not in the places where the faiths of which I speak originate, but maybe what we really yearn for, what we really celebrate this time of year is more metaphorical.

Perhaps people gathering together to light a small candle against the darkness around them would do a whole lot of good.




PS: Look guys! I posted something! Crazy. Happy midwinter holiday of choice.

Who loves this picture? I do!

I was doing some research on a paper when I ran across this gem. "Gay rights advocate Matthew Arnold-Lloyd of Albany, N.Y., right, meets nose to nose with an unidentified man opposed to gay marriage during a rally outside the Capitol in Albany, Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Gay rights advocates want the Legislature to approve legislation to legalize gay marriage in New York" reads the AP byline. 'Cause how better to show how much you dislike gays and gay rights than going nose-to-nose with a member of the same sex as if going in for a passionate kiss? Priceless.

Photo by Mike Groll.

White, right?

From a word-association exercise in Creative Writing yesterday:

White, right?
and bearded.
Always.
Good luck, then.
For me, a crane.
I like cranes
No crane ever cried
war. Never
hated. Never drowned
the world in rain. Never
did much
but fish,
and I thought you liked
fishers.
You say wrath?
I never fear
my crane-god's
wrath. It's mercy
that you want?
My crane-god grants it–
won't punish one sin.
See the crane in the water–
won't you step in?