Illuminated

© Mary Saracino


The way forward is lit by hindsight
the third eye sees the path
understands that the trajectory is never linear
the moon and the sun illuminate the cycles of our lives
the stars guide us onward
though clouds may obscure our understanding
we persevere, for what else can we do
but stand up, resist the temptation to cover
our eyes, shield our faces, hide from all that is ugly
we must place one foot in front of the other
step into the day, into tomorrow, then the next and the next
over and over until, with unflinching clarity
we transcend all that is vile
embrace all that is beautiful
remember that everything that is most essential
is illuminated by hope and love and gratitude.


* * * * *

Mary Saracino is a novelist, memoir writer, and poet. Her most recent novel, Heretics: A Love Story (2014) was published by Pearlsong Press. Her novel, The Singing of Swans (Pearlsong Press 2006) was named a 2007 Lambda Literary Awards finalist in the Spirituality category. She co-edited (with Mary Beth Moser) She Is Everywhere! Volume 3: An anthology of writings in womanist/feminist spirituality (iUniverse 2012), which earned the 2013 Enheduanna Award for Excellence in Women-Centered Literature from Sofia University. For more information about Mary, visit www.marysaracino.com and http://www.pearlsong.com/mary_saracino.htm