Night Lights
Again we line our little lights
up against the darkness;
not even candles, just safety
nightlights with such tiny flames.
I raise mine high to pierce
a few dark inches of the night
but know it's far too small
and insignificant to conquer
forces of darkness, war and hate,
armies ranged against each other,
aircraft and drones releasing powers
of destruction on the land below.
Still it flickers, encouraging me to keep
my hold on hope, to see and celebrate
the point of this our weekly vigil,
our small but stubborn prayer for peace.
Alwyn Marriage‘s eighteen books include poetry, fiction and non-fiction. She gives frequent readings and lectures all over Britain and Europe and occasionally in Australia/New Zealand. She won the Hedgehog Poetry Prize for her collection, Travelling Light, which recounts her adventures travelling around the world on work. Her most recent commission was to write poems responding to 25 artworks in an exhibition. An experienced workshop leader, mentor and lecturer, she particularly enjoys giving poetry readings from her many collections. Formerly a philosophy lecturer, magazine editor, environmental consultant, CEO of two international NGOs and Managing Editor of Oversteps Books.
http://www.marriages.me.uk/alwyn
