I N T O T H E D A R K N E S S

“What's the bravest thing you ever did?
He spat in the road a bloody phlegm. Getting up this morning, he said.”
― Cormac McCarthy, The Road

It has been said that adversity does not build character, rather it reveals it. And it is on full display at the moment.

From prominent faces and the many not so prominent ones, to nations as a whole, we are seeing, in full view what this silent, insidious assault is doing. More than its lethal aftermath and the casualties it continues to pile up, is this giant mirror that it has held up to all of us.

And the reflection we see back?
You have to admit, it has not been pretty.

Try ugly.
Defensive.
Divisive.
Oh and let’s not forget the classic burying our collective heads in the sand.

To some degree I can understand. Fear can do that. When you do not know where and how the enemy can strike, it can be well, terrifying.
And so you try and rationalise it.
How did it get here?
How can it happen to me?
To me??
It can’t be me! I mean how can it?
Denial.
And ignorance.
Let’s not forget that.
I mean no way in heck will it affect me.

So now that we agree the virus is finally here, (while in my mind, I’m still trying to believe it isn’t), there is rage. Anger.
I mean why?
Why here?
Why us?
And so we look for someone, something to direct this incendiary fury that is welling up inside.
No guesses as to where all that is being directed now.
All across the globe, we have seen, my own country included, attacks on people of Chinese descent.
Or in this case, anyone with even the faintest resemblance of.
We have been spat upon, called names “Eh Chinese virus, Corona Virus”, and of course those are the politer ones, threatened, bullied and yes, struck upon.
I mean it is easier to hit someone right? Rather than flail at the empty air, not knowing if you’re next.

And then of course the depression.

I have to admit it has been disturbingly disheartening lately. I watch the news cycle and all I hear is a cacophony, voices screaming in derision and pure vitriolic hate.
Oh that and the odd fireworks display.

So as hauntingly morbid as the world and its leaders, and the collective conscience looks right now, I am also reminded thankfully through an old tune, that I need to look beyond.

Look beyond those who lead us.
Look beyond the histrionics.
Look beyond the fear and
Look beyond the unknown.

Because at the end, when all this will pass, it will not be the leaders who will save us.
Our ideologies, our affiliations, even our systems, they will all fail us.

No. It will be us. Just us.
Ordinary men and women with every meaningful act.
Now more than just mere mortals.

It has taken a pandemic to bring us to this realization that the true heroes are those who step in and do what is needed, when it is needed the most.
Not the mind flayers. Not the amped up rhetoric.
No.
Just these.
Men and women whom we have so often passed by with not even a second glance, some with disdain  even perhaps.

And perhaps, just perhaps, as we look into that mirror, maybe we can all see what we had been missing all along.
Tomorrow is what we make of it. (remember it’s in your hands)


I had written this poem a week ago when my heart was heavy. Just like then, it was incomplete. Missing a half, needing a whole.

I N T O
T H E
D A R K N E S S

What is this light you speak of?
What is this?
This? The faint beckoning
Beyond dark skies
Beyond.

Too dark, too grim
These the sentinels
That bring
Ominous bearings
Heavy, ponderous, still
Tonight, darkest still

But just like this song, played beautifully by my nephew, I know that there is hope.
And so.
Into the darkness I stride.

I N T O

T H E

D A R K N E S S

What is this light you speak of?

What is this?

This? The faint beckoning

Beyond dark skies

Beyond.

Too dark, too grim

These the sentinels

That bring

Ominous bearings

Heavy, ponderous, still

Tonight, darkest still

Even still

Through dangers ill

Rancid, foul

The murky din

And voices shrill.

Tonight, 

Darkness

I shall stride

My self beside

All, until

All hold fast

Hold still

Together

We will. 

~ Judith Vaddi

P.S. And enjoy the video - you're welcome! 🙂