The Light Tears Loose

Sky, trees, water, birds: though nature appears everywhere in my work, 

it rarely does so for its own sake. It is, rather, more symbolic of 

internal or external struggle, development, and thought than as “pretty” 

detail. The poems in _The Light Tears Loose_ move from illustrations of 

light into dark – then darker – territory before it morphs back to 

light. Past and present circumstances often feel overwhelming, but it is 

in seeking that “silver lining” that we find reason to move forward, to 

keep going when the way seems vague or threatening. Our fear in living 

does not keep us from experiencing love and beauty, friendship and 

brightness along the way. As witnesses in the world, by connecting with 

nature, we can indulge ourselves with rest and renewal because we see it 

happen day after day, season after season. Darkness and winter come to 

us all but so do sunshine and spring. This is what we hold on to, even 

when the shadows creep so close we can’t breathe. Keep moving forward: 

on the other side is the light.