When Patricia prompted us to write about doubt, a song started on repeat in my head. I sang the lyric, “drive the dark of doubt away” from “Ode to Joy.”
“Fill us with the light of day!”
If you know this hymn, I’ve now passed the earworm on to you. Sorry.
But as I contemplate doubt, I realize that it’s not dark. Without doubt, we wouldn’t have belief or clarity.
This first year of retirement has thrown a lot of doubt my way. What do I do now? Where is my purpose? What are my goals? Who am I if not a teacher?
All of these questions are necessary to get me to the next chapter of my life. They are normal and necessary.
I follow poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. She generously sends a poem each day. I used this poem to inspire my poem today.
Here I Pray
My doubt has fog in it,
steam that glows on the bayou,
and a sky above preparing for a new day.There is Spanish moss here,
swaying in soft breeze
gathering space for doubt.I meet myself in the mist,
question her purpose,
wonder where she will go now.I am certain only of not knowing.
I am comfortable in this doubt
holding the gift of more time.Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 