Saturday, February 28, 2009



DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL IS REAL

On the same CD that has my latest obsession, "Whole Bird," is my other latest obsession, "Home," by Meg Hutchinson. On some level I'm sure I was resisting the song - keeping it at bay.

I could have written that song.

Two friends called Friday, each one was describing what can only be called The Dark Night of the Soul.

It's real.

But I probably don't have to tell you.

If you're reading this blog, you've probably had a brush, at least, with the Dark Night of the Soul.

It's real.

But like Meg sings so beautifully, "one day that darkness clears."

And when it does, everything is clearer.

Not just the darkness.

The clearing is real.

Too.



HOME, Meg Hutchinson

I won’t tell you where I’ve been
Only that it’s so good to be home
It’s possible to go so far down
As some of you might already know
Did you go there too?

I won’t tell you what I’ve seen
Only that this world can be so mean
Brave souls shuffling up and down the halls
No one visits no one even calls
Did you wait there too?

But I’ve been getting better these days
And I’ve been sleeping in my own bed again
And I’ve been dreaming in full color
Goodbye sorrow I’ve found another

I won’t tell you what I would’ve done
If not for my dearest ones
Chemistry can sorta leave you in the lurch
I’m just glad they found a cure
Did you find one too?

But if the world should really pale
Dark night of the soul is real
Let me offer I’ve been there
And one day that darkness clears


* Photo from www.imagecache2.allposters.com

10 comments:

Wanda said...

I am all too familiar with the Dark Night. Sometimes it lasts far longer than a night.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Yup, it's real, and it can last for a long time. Hanging in there through the darkness and doubt, though, always pays off in grace and soul rewards. :)

Carrie Wilson Link said...

Oh, Wanda, I so agree. "Night" should be in quotes. Mine was a good couple years.

contemporary themes said...

Is there anything other than the dark night? Just sayin'! Mine has been way longer than I'd like.

Listened to that song all yesterday. Got it ready to go again today!

She's awesome!

contemporary themes said...

Oh, and I have all the books on the Dark Night of the Soul if anyone needs a good one!

Rev. Christine said...

I agree. The clearing is real and the light is brighter on the other side. Thanks for sharing your process.

Deb Shucka said...

One thing that's helped me on those dark nights is sitting in the reflected love and light of those in a daylight cycle. Isn't it lovely that we get both?

fullsoulahead.com said...

The more dark nights we have, the more solid the knowledge that they always end.

If we could remember this in the dark times, "it will get better, it will get better, I won't always feel this way, it can be different," we'd do ourselves a favor. So hard to remember when we're in the thick of it though.

Go Mama said...

Amen to that. And to the sweet clearing that comes out the other side!

Amber said...

Have you read "Broken Open"? Wise like this.

:)