Introduced By Holly King
For our last Monday Moments on the theme of Nature, we’re focusing on the nature of growth and transformation. Did you know that the lotus flower is the symbol of self-regeneration, rebirth, and enlightenment? Nature has many connotations with transformation and, as we move out of Winter and into Spring, we begin to see growth happening all around us.
I planted the seed of this idea in the minds of our contributors, and they grew it into a crop of features that have been harvested for you today.
First, Deputy Editor Claire Buss offers a short story and a poem on our theme.
Light & Shade
He was the light to her shade. His smile carried the both of them through social events. His warmth and likeability covered up her brittle politeness and stiff formality. People would say, Have you met John? He’s so nice, isn’t he? Just sort of glows. Such a nice bloke.
He was the light to her shade. So, when she spiraled down into the depths of despair, he brought her warm drinks and wrapped her in blankets. He tried his best to bring her trinkets and baubles that would make her smile. Even if just for a short while. When she sobbed and blubbed that the end was nigh, he would enfold her in his warm embrace and utter platitudes: Everything will be al right. It will seem better tomorrow. I love you.
He was the light to her shade. She tried harder, for him. She didn’t give up, for him. She started to believe, because of him. He brought her out of the shadows and she began to glow. The darkness became a memory hidden deep in the depths of her eyes. She shone brighter and brighter. Soon people were asking, Have you met Jill? Isn’t she a blast? So much fun to hang out with.
She became the brighter light, going out, making friends, laughing. And, for a while, John basked in her shared glow, congratulating himself on a job well done. Not realising the changes happening within. Things began to seem dimmer. It was just easier to stay in. He stopped going to the gym. Stopped talking so much at parties. He took up brooding.
Now, she was the light to his shade. The bright butterfly to his reluctant moth. But she didn’t carry him with her. She had little time for his sulks and moods. She did not bring him warm drinks or wrap him in blankets. She would sing out a cheery goodbye and leave him alone for hours, letting him simmer in sadness and despondency.
She was the light to his shade. No one remarked any more when she turned up without him. People stopped asking after him, forgetting often that they were a couple. And so it was with complete shock that they heard the news. Murder, then suicide. She shot him and then herself. For light cannot exist with shade.
(c) Claire Buss, 2019
And Then The Sun Shone
And then the sun shone
It broke through the grey wintery chill
Smiling down upon those of us shivering in the bitterness
Bathing us in light and warmth
Nurturing our souls
But the clouds rolled in
Smothering the warmth, the light, the radiant glow of life
Shoulders hunched, heads down, breath misting in the rising cold
As feet stamp and hands clap and spirits wane
Wishing for the sun to return
A day passes
And then another, marching across the glittery snow
Without a care for frozen fingers or toes, for cold noses or hearts
Jack Frost laughs gaily as he paints his realm
In cold blue crackles
But then… the sun shone
Returning to fight the good fight
Rays of molten gold undulating across land and sea
Filling us up with glorious light and love
© Claire Buss, 2018
You can connect with Claire at her website clairebuss.co.uk, on Facebook: facebook.com/busswriter and on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @Grasshopper2407
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Next, we offer a musical interpretation of the theme. Emmanuel Oreyeni created this using Soundtrap. As you listen to it, you can hear how the music grows from the first beat and transforms into a more complex melody.