The opening two lines in Jack Gilbert’s poem, Horses at Midnight Without a Moon, are particularly resonant with me these days when darkness threatens to surround us.
Our heart wanders lost in the dark woods. Our dream wrestles in the castle of doubt.
The next two lines bring me hope and joy.
But there’s music in us. Hope is pushed down but the angel flies up again taking us with her.
Further on down the poem these lines are sobering:
It is no surprise that danger and suffering surround us.
That is just reality in 2025 as it was in 1025 and will be in 3025. And Jack Gilbert does not abandon us to despair. In the next four lines Jack Gilbert continues:
What astonishes is the singing. We know the horses are there in the dark meadow because we can smell them, can hear them breathing.
Who are these horses? Are they hope and joy? Is there an instinct within us that refuses to concede to darkness?
The dance of life…a life that is never quite steady. Like a thrilling equestrian obstacle course, it calls us to face each challenge, taking us to thrilling heights and lowering us to hazardous depths.
What do you think?
As for me, I want to ride Jack Gilbert’s horses.
Stay hopeful and joyful.
Thank you Manuel! ''You can pick all the flowers, but you can't stop the spring.'' - Poet Pablo Neruda
Well done Manuel. Far better Gilbert's horses and hope than the better known Four whose coming heralds a less desirable outcome.