let this be called
my mistake, my
error — that I lived
too long in a shadow
and only observed this
perfect world as an entity
coming out of a shadow.

there were roses, I know
that now; there were fires
that took their light from blooms,
I know that now; all on earth
were bathed in light that made
high fear or little note.
I know that now

and now I live here, well-lit,
unaffected by anything dark
or gray or even shaded a touch
or more. I know that now.
every day I pause
when I am touched by it;
acknowledge it, note how it comes
from light bouncing free
and turn toward it, move on;
it means little except briefly
and only in its moment, and
I know that now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
onward,
T