"FIRE & LIGHT"
by Constance Black
"Fire & Light" was handprinted by myself on a letter
press and illustrated by a series of linocuts. It is a poem in three parts
describing in spiritual terms a journey through three spiritual states from the
"fire" of passion and experience to the "light" of
understanding. Following are a few excerpts from the text.
from "FIRE"
Life erupts into may
and masses of lacy blossoms.
The house is full
of the scent of flowers.
The flames beat high, spilling
Like a fountain in every direction.
My heart is full.
Now is the season for love.
from "THE DARK DOOR"
It is the black shadows in New England pines
as summer turns to autumn,
And there are dark blue deeps in the harbor
as the water turns cold.
It is the night of myself, my death, a phantom.
And now in the late afternoon,
I dread returning.
The house seems to wear
a caul of darkness. The thin black limbs
crack dryly against the house,
and shadows flee before me.
from "LIGHT"
A kingfisher flashes where
my heart should be, cutting me
with flashing gold delight.
Transporting me to echoes
of eternal forests, leaves blowing
in a strange hot wind.
The theme "Fire & LIght" was inspired by writings of the Bab,
founder of the Babi Faith and the Forerunner of the Bah'ai Revelation. He wrote
in a prayer the following quote, "I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by Thy most
effulgent splendour, before whose brightness every soul humbly boweth down and
prostrateth itself in adoration for Thy sake-a splendour before whose radiance
fire is turned into light, the dead are brought to life, and every difficulty
is changed into ease." I borrowed this theme for this book and also for
the name of my own publishing house, FIRE & LIGHT PRESS.
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