In 1835, Robert Browning (1812-1889) published his poem Paracelsus, named for a Swiss physician. It took Browning about six months to write it. Inspiration often came on late night walks in London. From Part I:
…to KNOW,
Rather consists in opening out a way
Whence the imprisoned splendor may escape,
Than in effecting entry for a light
Supposed to be without.
“I will give you as a light to the nations….” – Isaiah 49.6 (NRSV)
“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5.14 (NIV)
“…if we love others, we are in the light….” – 1 John 8.10 (CEV)
The universe has more light and more darkness than we can imagine, and scientists are finding light where it was earlier thought to be total darkness. We need both light and darkness to thrive, and (metaphorically) there is plenty of both within each of us.
When feeling low or dark, Browning’s poem reminds us that there is within each of us “an imprisoned splendor” of light.