The Ensuing Darkness (Darkness on Cat's Paws): An essay by local author John Bragstad
Aug 30, 2023 09:41AM ● By Content Editor
Photo submitted
By local author and writer John Bragstad for Boreal Community Media - August 23, 2023
In a recent broadcast on WTIP, the host, Mark
Abrahamson, commented on how dark the days are
becoming. There is a difference, isn’t there? Darkness is
no longer delayed. It creeps into our evening hours.
The deep black of the night comes sooner. And we are
ever more aware we are headed into the ebbing seasons
of light. “Get out your flashlight,” he said.
Here, in Dark Sky country, we notice this particularly away
from the brash and ever-present lights of the city. It may
even be more apparent in the far-flung haunts of moose
and bear, where campers are still out to enjoy and
explore.
Darkness now will come to rule as it presides more over
our land. Some will look forward to it as an opportunity to
rest and move activities indoors. Others may feel an
oppressive sadness creeping over them, not obvious, but
real.
But what would happen if we were suddenly “plunged into
an eternal day?” That is a question posed by Peter M.
Leschak in an article with the curious title: The Necessity
Of Darkness. (Minnesota Conservation magazine).
This author adds, “Why doesn’t our sky blaze with the hot,
white light of innumerable alien suns?” This is especially
telling because we live in a universe of more than 100
billion stars, according to Leschak.
Perhaps we should revisit this element of darkness.
The poet Kahil Gibran once wrote of Jesus: “He was
impatient with those who weighed and measured the day
and the night before they would trust their dreams to dawn
or eventide.”
Related: Meet your Boreal Community Media Freelance Journalist: John Bragstad
By local author and writer John Bragstad for Boreal Community Media - August 23, 2023
In a recent broadcast on WTIP, the host, Mark
Abrahamson, commented on how dark the days are
becoming. There is a difference, isn’t there? Darkness is
no longer delayed. It creeps into our evening hours.
The deep black of the night comes sooner. And we are
ever more aware we are headed into the ebbing seasons
of light. “Get out your flashlight,” he said.
Here, in Dark Sky country, we notice this particularly away
from the brash and ever-present lights of the city. It may
even be more apparent in the far-flung haunts of moose
and bear, where campers are still out to enjoy and
explore.
Darkness now will come to rule as it presides more over
our land. Some will look forward to it as an opportunity to
rest and move activities indoors. Others may feel an
oppressive sadness creeping over them, not obvious, but
real.
But what would happen if we were suddenly “plunged into
an eternal day?” That is a question posed by Peter M.
Leschak in an article with the curious title: The Necessity
Of Darkness. (Minnesota Conservation magazine).
This author adds, “Why doesn’t our sky blaze with the hot,
white light of innumerable alien suns?” This is especially
telling because we live in a universe of more than 100
billion stars, according to Leschak.
Perhaps we should revisit this element of darkness.
The poet Kahil Gibran once wrote of Jesus: “He was
impatient with those who weighed and measured the day
and the night before they would trust their dreams to dawn
or eventide.”
Maybe that’s a start. Each day brings discovery.
Watching the dark advance shouldn’t be our
preoccupation. There are things to do and opportunities to
cultivate.
Jim Brandenburg is a photographer I have long admired.
In one of his books, he uses an interesting approach. For
ninety days, he allows himself one photo per day. A single
click of the shutter would send him home.
What is the name of his book? Chased By The Light. He
amplifies his experience in this way: “Today, I respectfully
replay that same dance (of those who would scrawl
pictographs on the walls of ancient caves) while being
chased only by the light of a swift and hungry day.”
Those who live in the North appreciate this. The day is
moving on. Light is more limited. The ensuing dark is
hungry to the extent it will pursue those who ignore it and
those who take full advantage of it.
It is for us to decide whether we will be conscious of this
fact — and use the time well. And enjoy this splash of late
summer light while it lasts.
Watching the dark advance shouldn’t be our
preoccupation. There are things to do and opportunities to
cultivate.
Jim Brandenburg is a photographer I have long admired.
In one of his books, he uses an interesting approach. For
ninety days, he allows himself one photo per day. A single
click of the shutter would send him home.
What is the name of his book? Chased By The Light. He
amplifies his experience in this way: “Today, I respectfully
replay that same dance (of those who would scrawl
pictographs on the walls of ancient caves) while being
chased only by the light of a swift and hungry day.”
Those who live in the North appreciate this. The day is
moving on. Light is more limited. The ensuing dark is
hungry to the extent it will pursue those who ignore it and
those who take full advantage of it.
It is for us to decide whether we will be conscious of this
fact — and use the time well. And enjoy this splash of late
summer light while it lasts.
About the author
John A. Bragstad has been a therapist, working with couples and individuals, for 25 years. He is self-published and is enjoying retirement. Lake Superior is just off his front porch.
He has written three books: Compass Season, Loon Laughter at Midnight, and Who's Watching Whoo? They are available in Grand Marais at Drury Lane and Lake Superior Trading Post, or at Amazon.com.Related: Meet your Boreal Community Media Freelance Journalist: John Bragstad
