Just a light prompt

and meditation on weather

Even if you are not ready for day, it cannot always be night. —Gwendolyn Brooks

The word photograph comes from the Greek words “phos” meaning “light” and “graphe” meaning “drawing” or “writing.”

Writing with light or light writing, I find this beautiful.

We take pictures of so much of our experience in modern times, usually through the camera lens on our phones. So today, I just want to offer a bit of light writing as a prompt.

It snowed early this year in Ohio. The trees still clinging to color beneath the weight of a gentle freeze.

I’ve heard from many creative sorts that they are fascinated by weather patterns. Perhaps this is because when patterns are interrupted, there is story.

What does it mean in the moment, when natural expectation is upended? When even the trees barely seem ready?

Share your words with me, and I’ll post them below.

Photo by Jen Knox

Darlene Witte

We carried light, each of us 
as flesh, blood, bone as
our small measure of clay.
Each breath framed 
pulled us
one beat
closer 
toward origin.

Thoughts 
of that green grass field 
where Heidegger rested
that day, that originary day.

Counted each daisy 
remembered
each petal.

Heard each 
wind-blown echo.

Noted 
each whisper of
light-born 
symmetry.

Write like you have nothing to lose. Stories, freedom, and creative joy are here for us to discover.

In defense of taking a purposeful break