Darkness: A Midsummer's Night
The summer solstice was a couple weeks ago, on June 21. While it was the day with the most hours of daylight, July always feels like the month when it stays lightest the longest into the evening. In the middle of winter, both with the longest night (winter solstice) and the church season of Epiphany, we tend to focus on the light in the darkness. This year, in the middle of summer, we’re going to focus on darkness. I wrote about darkness last winter here so whether this month’s focus turns into a deeper dive or just an expansion remains to be seen. However, I do know I’m in good company, as William Shakespeare placed one of his plays on a midsummer’s night.
I’ve often heard the saying that “nothing good happens after midnight.” However, in my work as a hospital chaplain, I have learned to respectfully disagree. LOTS of good things happen after midnight and before dawn. The day and the sun do not have a propietary claim on goodness and beauty. Beautiful things happen at nighttime, too: rest and renewal as well as those who stay awake so that the dayshift can be rested and ready for the day come morning. Below is a poem I wrote the day after a particularly moving pair of visits that occurred in the middle of the night.
Last night In the dark I traveled Down the highway. To the hospital To pray with a man Who witnessed his wife’s seizure To pray with a woman Whose diagnosis asked more strength of her than she had to give. “Come to the dark side,” Invites the night patient registration shift The dayshift never makes such an offer. (Why is that?) At night, I hold vigils. At night, I rely more on God. At night, I meet patients who are more restless, Whose minds or bodies won’t let them sleep. At night, we come more face-to-face with our fears, And find God.