Out There, Just Past the Dark

 

To counter the darkness, I place a circle 

of small white candles outside

the door, to welcome sprites

disguised as small humans,

begging for treats.

To counter the darkness, I go

into the wildwood, dark green and pungent,
mossy-trailed, to gather small branches

and twigs from the  forest floor,

old man's beard to catch the blaze

of the Samhain beach fire,

and bouquets of salal and rosehip

for the long-gowned maidens

to carry as they bunch their skirts
and leap across

the flickering flames.

Out there, just past the dark,

I feel you watching: wolfish snout,

brown eyes that saw into my soul,

a heart that never wavered,

come to see me when the veil between

your world and mine grows thin.

Out there, to counter
the dark-hearted of humanity, are the

bright hearts of the awakened ones, who come

to heal and restore to Mother Earth

some of what has been lost.

Out there, to the starry sky that
illuminates our darkening world,
I send a plea:
transform our consciousness 

from sea to warming, rising sea.

Illuminate our vision.

Decolonize our minds.

May our light outshine
our darkness
while there's still time.

A humble offering for Brendan's challenge at earthweal: Kindling from the Forest of Light and Shadow.