In the darkness of the night
Still he lies
Quietly and calm
Yet as the light in the stairwell shines
He looks to the light
During times of peace within the day
He waits patiently
Listening and alert
Light shines through his window
He looks to the light
Walking with assistance from room to room
He follows our lead
Lifting his head upward
A light reflects from a wall picture
He looks to the light
Sitting up in his particular chair
Eagerly eating his food
Listening to the music playing
A light shines overhead
He looks to the light
Stretched out and relaxed on the floor
Watching the ceiling above
Streaming sunlight touches his face
As an outside door abruptly opens
He looks to the light
Life continues in a constant pace
Everything seems busy and on the go
Keeping us from being alert and seeing
That we are all surrounded by light
Look, look...look to the light!
Commentary:
This is another poem inspired by my disabled brother. I was watching him one morning and thinking about how he seems to be drawn to light. My family and I have speculated why this is. It is quite interesting to watch him as he looks at it. There are few things he shows he can focus on, but his attention to light is intensely focused. The only other time I have seen him focus so well is when one of us is sitting close to him and he will look at us while we are taking care of him. It is guessed that his vision isn't that great, but because of its brightness, the light is easier for him to look at than elsewhere. I often notice that in the night when I turn the stairs light on that connects to his room, I often come down and see him looking in my direction. Wherever the light is, he is attention is directed there.I found this simple act of his an inspiration as I am reminded that there are many sources of light that are other than physical. They are guides to show us the way we need to go in our lives, and for many of us who are religious, it's even more symbolic. I am reminded to turn to the light whenever and wherever I am, and it will provide me the vision I seek in order to improve my vision and take my next step in life.
