Red Sky at Night

My father was one of the biggest fans of my poetry, even though he died before much of what ended up in my book was written. He followed my blog and every so often would gently say, "You really ought to publish, Sarah." I know he would have loved holding The Radiance of Change in his hands. I've been thinking quite a lot about him recently. Last night walking out of school, I was greeted by this sky and Dad's words from so long ago.

Red Sky at Night

Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.
I can hear my father saying that to me
as we watched sunsets
at the lake, in the mountains,
by the sea.
I smile with the memory as I step out
into a winter’s eve.
Later, skiing through soft snowy woods,
enchantment flows around and through
my being,
accompanied by a deep awareness
of the power and validity of hope.
It’s been there all along for me,
in my heart, my spirit, my words.
Sometimes inner waters
are stirred by winds of change,
though much more gently so.
Old patterns can
still sporadically
cause doubt,
the wonder if I’m wrong.
But, the truth is
my craft is as right as can be,
and it is safe to
 embrace the calm,
bob in the waves,
go with the flow.
Red sky at night,
sailor’s delight.
Thanks, Dad.
I love you.

Sarah Carlson

January 3, 2019