Who I am.

I write about the landscape of grief, nature, and the wisdom of fools. The author of four books, my essays, poems, and reviews have been published in over 50 journals, including in the Huffington Post and Colorado Review. I’ve won the River Teeth Nonfiction Book Award, the Chautauqua and Literal Latte’s essay prizes, and my work has been nominated for four Pushcart Prizes and named a notable by Best American Essays. My account of hiking in Yosemite to deal with my wife’s death, Mountains of Light, was published by the University of Nebraska Press. http://www.markliebenow.com.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Winter's Light





When the year’s shadows are heaviest, when nights become long and cold, when feelings of self-doubt, despair, and death draw near, we light candles to push away the darkness that surrounds us.

The light of stars and the flames of candles remind us of people we love, dreams we’ve followed, and the guidance of wise teachers. They call us to reclaim what stirs our passions, what brings us energy and meaning. They challenge us to care for those among us for whom the light has grown dim.

* If you would like to read the rest of this post, let me know and I’ll send it to you. *

2 comments:

  1. Thank you, Mark. I, too, hold light as precious and healing. So grateful to have the longest night of the year out of the way now. Wishing you light in the new year.

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Robin. Now we begin the movement back toward light, even though darkness continues to fill much of our days.

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