Our ordinary neighborhoods, with the approach of winter,
\nbecome places of imagination at night: houses and trees
\nare outlined with brilliant points of light, shrubs and staircases
\nare redefined by clouds, garlands, fanciful shapes of light.
\nWe need this illumination, this display, this imagination
\nin our darkening days, to awaken wonder that can dispel
\nthe vacuum left by the departure of the sun. We need this
\nmore than the ancients who began it, because their lights gave
\nheat: we live in a world of light without heat, and heat
\nwithout light. We seldom hold our hands over a light bulb to
\nwarm fingers; nor do we use the light of a radiator to allow us
\nto read. It is the cold clear nights of winter that draw our gaze
\nto the skies, and this can lead to a frightening moment in which
\nwe understand how close we are to total insignificance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the nights get darker with the approach of winter solstice, we tend to string up lights everywhere. (#992) Continue reading