Nightfall

KAREN KILIMNIK
MY WALK BY MY WOODS – EARLY EVENING – FULL MOON, 2007
WATER SOLUBLE OIL COLOR ON CANVAS
30,5 X 23 CM

Nightfall

“Faith sees best in the dark.”

~ Kierkegaard

Darkness slides in.

Curled on wild thoughts,

you see light in a distant

window, hear pots clang

in someone's  kitchen.

You feel for a candle.

But the darkness lifts your arms,
moves about your knees,
and softens your gaze.

It uncurls your fingers,
and in your palm, it
places a mystery

You begin to see
the dark curves unfold.

You remember.

                                        The doe moves

                                        along a moonless

                                        trail, shy and

                                        hungry. She makes

                                        her way quietly.

                                        Without warning,

                                        the path opens.

                                        Another has been here,

                                        has pressed the wild

                                        grasses down, warmed

                                        them like a nest.

                                       Ringed by whispers

                                       in the dark trees,

                                       she can close her eyes.

This is not how you stay safe.

This is how you survive.

Kathleen Kimball-Baker – September 2015