To Know the Dark

by Robert

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.

— Wendell Berry, “To Know the Dark”

This fierce willingness to see everything is necessary to be fully present within the fulness of reality. It is necessary so that we do not wither in the face of confrontation. We must see suffering if we are to soothe wounds. And we must recognize cruelty that we may protect the vulnerable. To summon strength, we must recognize that conditions require strength. To express kindness and connection, we must see clearly who has been labeled an outsider.

— Ivan M. Granger, “Wendell Berry — To Know the Dark” posted on “Poetry Chaikhana Blog” (www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2017/02/01/wendell-berry-to-know-the-dark/)