We Grow Accustomed to the Dark

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Amos 5:18-24 CLASSIC POEM: We Grow Accustomed to the Dark Emily Dickinson We grow accustomed to the Dark— When Light is put away— As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp To witness her Goodbye— A Moment—We uncertain step For newness of the night— Then—fit our Vision to the Dark— And meet the Road—erect— And so of larger—Darknesses— Those Evenings of the Brain— When not a Moon disclose a sign— Or Star—come out—within— The Bravest—grope a little— And sometimes hit a Tree Directly in the Forehead— But as they learn to see— Either the Darkness alters— Or something in the sight Adjusts itself to Midnight— And Life steps almost straight. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: The Last Hour Christian Wiman SNIPPET: … Stilled and gifted in the last hour before the first light, in the dark place of his own making, he could feel rocks … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]