Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Night and Day

In darkness —
I slow down
I look within
I care for myself
I comfort myself
I pour out love
I breathe in love
I make peace with being alone

I wrote those lines at the Unitarian Universalist Winter Solstice service a month ago when prompted to consider the gift of Darkness. It was certainly a challenge to contemplate the shadow side of life as a positive thing. I feel oriented towards the Sun in so many ways — an August birthday, a “morning person”, uncomfortable at night driving, a Californian for 15 years — yet Night can create a cocoon that births creation in beautiful ways.

“Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high” — John Denver

We are approaching that season in the Wheel of the Year known as Imbolc, halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox, which falls on February 1. From now until that day, daylight in my area of the globe will increase by 10 minutes. Slowly, the Earth here is warming. Today it was close to 60 degrees F. Oh, Happy Day!
Thank you, Sofia, for reminding us of the yin and yang of our Earth experience. Please visit HER POST to see this week’s challenge.

22 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Night and Day”

Interesting consider the gift of Darkness. And you are right. It is attitude and perception. I am glad you included a poem of your own. I think it brings strength to your work. Beautiful beach scene.

scillagrace says:

January 28, 2024 at 9:26 am

Thanks, Donna! Leaning in to gratitude, there are gifts in absolutely everything, I believe.

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The yin and yang – I hadn’t thought of the challenge that way but you are on point with that Priscilla! Loved your response to darkness question. I too am a creature of the light.

scillagrace says:

January 28, 2024 at 9:31 am

Thanks, Tina. I really love your night time shots of the island. That takes skill that I don’t yet possess. I hardly image taking my camera out after dusk. And yet, the record of light that is photography includes the whole spectrum.

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It’s so true, Priscilla. Darkness is a gift, too…as your poem beautifully expresses. Your first photo reminds me of the gifts of light in the darkness.

scillagrace says:

January 28, 2024 at 9:33 am

I have experienced total darkness, on cave tours. Above ground, there’s always some light, I imagine. On one night hike, I was surprised by all the bioluminescent bugs and slugs!

Reply

You are born poet!
Such a lovely description!
Love the accompanying images.
Good morning from India!

scillagrace says:

January 28, 2024 at 9:34 am

Thank you! And now, it’s morning here and night time in India. Sleep well!

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I usually suffer in winter here. It feels like never ending darkness. But there are positives too as your post so beautifully points out. Love your poem and your photos. Thank you, Priscilla.

scillagrace says:

January 28, 2024 at 9:36 am

My pleasure, Sofia! Thank you for the kind words. Oregon is pretty far north, as was Wisconsin. It helps to face the darkness and befriend it in some way. 🙂

Reply

Great poems, not a winter person, I get depressed and unmotivated during winter, I love light, I feel oriented towards the Sun in so many ways — an August birthday, not morning person, I do not enjoy driving the car in the winter nights. There were many relatable things in this post