Redemption

There isn't a place

in this world that doesn't

sooner or later drown

in the indigos of darkness

but now, for a while,

the roughage

shines like a miracle

as it floats above everything

with its yellow hair.

Of course nothing stops the cold,

black, curved blade

from hooking forward---

of course

loss is the great lesson.

But I also say this: that light

is an invitation

to happiness,

and that happiness

when it's done right,

is a kind of holiness,

palpable and redemptive.

Mary Oliver,  from Poppies

Trying to gain a foothold along a busy road is a real challenge.  Most of the time only the grasses and weeds manage to establish themselves.  Even on the back roads, the culverts are tough terrains of hard red clay, where little can grow. But then, just when you least expect it, there is a flush of morning glory or some other wildflower, tenaciously flourishing.

When times are hard, as they are now, it is expected our quotient of happiness will reduce in direct proportion. Living close to the edge of our ability to provide for ourselves is frightening.  Lots of people are experiencing that feeling as the year draws to a close. But on the edge is when we most need to open ourselves to the good in the moment.  It redeems our lives from the clench of our circumstances and shines a light into our darkness. We are redeemed, if only for a moment ,from our fear.  Sometimes that is all it takes to move on.