Lanterns, they are

It is the morning after
The dark night of the soul
Another orbit is complete
And sight has returned
Stronger now
All is projected outwards
All is reflected inwards
And lanterns they are

Powerful friendships showing themselves to me one by one.
Strength built from mutual respect and separate but shared inspiration.
Shapes that overlap but are ever in flux…

I adore unique people with ideas and passion. I will always forgive them for not pandering to me, pitying me or wallowing with me when I throw myself into the mouth of the shadow. Such is my art and my work. I love that they live their own lives and their light continues to shine whether I am there to see it or not. I love that they accept my movements in and out of their circles. They turn around on the dance floor to find me gone: they shrug and maintain the flow and the smile, not out of lack of care but out of utter acceptance. They look up from their sketchbooks and notepads and keyboards weeks later to see me back from my pit of depression and despair, and they continue the conversation as though it were never broken.

And I feel that it is ok to be among the blackness, because when I emerge my lanterns will be there.