“Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies
Yet everywhere
ironic points of light flash out
wherever the just exchange their messages…“
Like Auden’s flashing lights
sparking in the darkness
that so often seems
so immense, so overwhelming,
so defeating–
we greet each other
despite different times
and great distances between,
and know that there is Light
always in the night
and we are not alone
if only we look up
and shine.
“May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair
Show an affirming flame.”
WH Auden “September 1, 1939”
The entirety of Auden’s poem, “September 1, 1939” can be found here:
http://poemdujour.com/Sept1.1939.html
LOOSELY SPEAKING... 