It’s Not The Light

Dear friend,

It's my pleasure to share my new poem, It's Not The Light. The poem delves deeply into the interplay between wisdom, ignorance, light, and darkness, offering a philosophical perspective on growth, suffering, and self-awareness. The imagery of light and shadows is used to represent more abstract concepts like wisdom and ignorance.

I cordially invite you to comment on how and why the poem impacted you.

Thank you.

It's Not The Light

By Sal Godoij

Say that shadows mean ignorance.

And light means wisdom.

Yet, it's not the light that makes you wise

But shadows

Light may blind you

It may confuse your mind

Shadows, instead, are the force that keeps your eyes wide open

Your mind alert

Shadows encourage you to move

For you can't stand there in shadows

Shadows push you to extend your hands

To feel the air flowing through your fingers

Your hands testing the air, groping at every step

Because you want to see the light

So, even though there are shadows around you

There is a spark of light in your brain

So, let's say that shadows mean ignorance

Yet ignorance is not always darkness

Sometimes, it is a bliss

And so, if you want to become wiser

You must let ignorance

To show you the light

No. You don't know. You shall never know

What wisdom is if you first don't experience ignorance

Accept you are ignorant

By accepting ignorance, light filters through your brain

A ray of light that increases the shadows

The shadows of your knowledge

And if it hurts you

You must welcome the suffering

For this suffering is a rebirth you are having

Ignorance is a drug that makes you sleep

The sweeter of dreams

It soothes your mind

Heart and soul

Wisdom, instead, is a pain that wakes you up

To bitter nightmares

It hurts your heart

Mind and soul

But if you want to become a hero

Be as wise as your ignorance allows it

Learn to live between the one and the other

From beginning to end.

Analysis of the Poem It's Not the Light by Sal Godoij

1. Light vs. Shadows:

The poem opens with a contrast between light and shadows, positioning shadows as the more significant force in fostering wisdom. While light might symbolize clarity and knowledge, the poet suggests that it is in the shadows—in uncertainty, in the unknown—that true wisdom emerges. The shadows challenge the individual, forcing them to feel their way forward, testing the limits of what they know and allowing their senses and understanding to expand.

The "shadows" could also symbolize struggle, doubt, or even failure. The idea is that wisdom doesn't come from clear, easy answers but from navigating uncertainty and hardship.

2. Ignorance and Wisdom:

The poem introduces the paradox of ignorance. Ignorance is not necessarily a negative condition—sometimes, as the poet suggests, it can be blissful. This could be a reference to the comfort of not knowing difficult truths or the peacefulness of not having to confront life's harsh realities. However, wisdom requires stepping beyond this ignorance, and this transition is painful.

Ignorance, described as a "drug" that "soothes your mind, heart and soul," is contrasted with wisdom, which is likened to a "syrup" that "wakes you up" but also brings painful realities ("bitter nightmares"). The poet seems to suggest that suffering is an integral part of gaining wisdom, a theme often explored in literature and philosophy, where enlightenment comes at the cost of comfort.

3. The Role of Suffering:

Suffering is central to the poet's message. In the final lines, the speaker contends that to grow wiser, one must "welcome this suffering," viewing it as a necessary process of rebirth. This aligns with the idea that wisdom is not an easy gift but something that must be earned through experience, struggle, and pain. The wound caused by wisdom is compared to the sweetness of ignorance, but ultimately, the pain is portrayed as a transformative experience.

The poem suggests that to be a "hero," one must live "between the one and the other," meaning the tension between light (wisdom) and shadows (ignorance). This middle ground, where suffering and enlightenment coexist, seems to be the realm of true growth.

4. Philosophical Tone:

The poem engages in deep existential reflection, inviting the reader to reconsider how wisdom is attained and what role suffering plays in that journey. It is not a call for blind optimism, but a recognition of the complexity of life and the growth that comes through struggle.

Overall Impressions:

The poem is introspective and layered with meaning. It communicates the idea that true wisdom requires not just knowledge, but also an understanding of suffering and the acceptance of ignorance. The poem challenges the conventional wisdom that light (or knowledge) alone brings enlightenment, proposing instead that it is in the shadows, the discomfort, and the pain that one can truly grow.

From a literary standpoint, the poem's use of contrasting imagery—light and shadows, ignorance and wisdom, suffering and rebirth—is compelling and thought-provoking. It encourages the reader to embrace complexity, uncertainty, and growth, even when it's uncomfortable.

Feel free to use or share this analysis as you see fit!