In years past
Before electricity
Crystals were faceted
And used below decks
In sailing ships
To lighten the darkness
***
Safer than candles
Or kerosene lamps
Solar power refracting
Dispersing
Natural sunlight
***
So despite keelhauling,
Brutality and impressing
Drunken men or young boys
Our sea-going ancestors
Knew the secret of the sun
Knew not to waste
Too many natural resources
***
Although the whales were sacrificed
For their ability to provide fat for tallow
There is always an oblation
A diminishment of a species
Offered to the jealous gods
Who are expected to return the favor
By keeping us safe
***
On those rare, but dark days,
Of my soul
I seek the deck prism
Feel its vibration
Huddle around its meager, but reliable, light
And allow the power to transform
Mind and mood
Into a bursting crystal of
Optimism
Because light will always reappear
If we force ourselves through the
Shadows of life
That come
But most importantly
Go…
© 2015 Clarissa Simmens (ViataMaja)