The Secret Weapon

The Secret Weapon 

When the ghosts came into my bedroom 

they stood in the doorway and whispered.

I knew their words were curses. I knew

they wouldn't let me out. The light switch

was far across the room near the door.

Even then I knew that light would banish

not only darkness but denizens of darkness.

Such a simple thing! – at least in this age

of instant, flick-a-switch light. In earlier times

relying on vulnerable candles, what did they do?

The same thing, perhaps, that the child

figured out, alone in that bedroom, parents asleep 
up the hall. They'd have come if she called,

but you can't keep calling, all night every night....

You have to learn how to generate inner light.

No-one teaches you this when you're a child.

Somehow it occurs to you. It requires

a huge effort of will, great exertion – while lying

perfectly still, pretending to be asleep. (They

won't attack if they think you can't hear them.)

When they do attack, it's with fear. You know that,

so you disguise your fear. But this doesn't drive them 

away from the shadows, out of the corners. It only

keeps them at bay, but still in place, still menacing.

No, what vanquishes darkness is always and only light. 

And the switch is far away, near where they lurk.

You can't reach it safely. The light of the moon

through your window is friendly, but not enough.

It shows you their misty shapes, their numbers,

so you know at least they are few and contained.

In order to drive them away – even to fragment them? –

start in your heart. There is a golden spark at the centre.

See it glow. See it begin to grow. Watch it expand.

It is radiant, flowing, it will fill you; then will extend

beyond your body, past the very edges of your aura.

This light belongs to you. You can use it any time.

You can also breathe in light from Heaven,

shining purest white. Add it to the light in your heart,

see them mingle. Then send out that blended light.

It's your sword and shield. It's your warm blanket.

In years to come, you may well discover, 

this light is for everyone, not just you.

Send it out where peace is needed, and where

healing is needed. As you travel, let its gleam

precede you, filling the space with Love.

Use it to caress the trees, and for the safety

of small creatures that enter traffic. Use it

to beam at TV images of accidents, wars,

poverty, distress. Use it to brighten life.

(And say thank you now to those old ghosts.)

Day 9 of Poems in April at 'imaginary garden with real toads': Riddikulus (what would scare your childhood fears?)