The Shadowed House
Mario Hains’ Canterbury abandoned house, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nearby at the top of a hill
a small house, abandoned, did sit.
While voices around it rang shrill,
“Stay away if it’s night,
Lest you run at the sight!”
derided this house dimly lit.
“For, surely,” those voices had mocked,
“Such fixtures could be better placed.
From houses with secrets so locked,
In the depths nothing stirs
Any help it deters
Its memory should be erased.”
How little they knew of this house!
Their words echoed down through its halls.
And scratched like the nails of a mouse
Its foundation so cracked,
The repairs it had lacked.
Became written marks on the walls.
Inside the old house was a light.
It burned with reluctance within;
The voices had filled it with fright
Then it looked round with fear
Its mind cloudy, not clear,
Afraid that the voices might win.
How, precious, that light so little,
A gift to the house it was in.
And cherished its dwelling, though brittle.
How dare they deride!
What they look for may hide!
Some treasures concealed lie within.
“And what if there are?” beamed the light.
“I’d imagine they’re somewhere around;
Exposing them could end this fight.
There just might be a way
To let light from the day,
Dispel all the terrors of night!”
So, strengthened with thoughts full of hope,
the little light moved through the dark.
For objects of worth did he grope.
Though he didn’t surprise
that before the sunrise
Stayed hidden each beautiful mark.
Yet there in some cold, darkened room,
A Presence, which wasn’t yet known,
Whose power could pierce through the gloom
All those fears he could rend
That poor heart he would mend
If only his beauty be shown.
And so, as the little light moved,
some details he started to see;
Such intricate colors be proved
Beneath darkness within:
All the beauty therein
Their gifts and potential to free.
At last, in the heart of that place,
Encountered, he did, a true Guest.
Whose own light shone forth from His face.
Though this house was so crude
Such poor love He pursued
at the heart of the house did find rest.
And so, finding peace with his home,
The little light’s heart filled with praise.
That beauty and greatness would come
to such darkness and stay,
unto light show the way,
a friend to the end of all days.
About the Poem:
This poem was born from a children’s literature assignment when I was an undergrad. We were asked to write a simple children’s book, and I wanted to write something that would teach them Christ was always with them. At the time I was struggling to find Christ in my memories of growing up in a broken home, and all of the baggage that came with it. That is when I received the image of an old, dilapidated house. I did not mean for the ideas to come out as limericks when I was writing it, but that is what happened. I think it was the Lord’s way of helping me to be light-hearted when dealing with such heavy topics, and to continue to search for him in places that seem dark and with little hope. There has been so much beauty that the Lord placed in my past, but I cannot really see it until I begin to see Him. St. Teresa of Avila’s teachings on our soul as a mansion where Christ dwells at the center was also an inspiration for this poem. She also emphasized Christ as light and Christ as friend, two images which have brought me a lot of comfort and have been a huge part of my spiritual life. I found this quote after but it seems to sum up my inspiration for the poem: “If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader, that man can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never abandons us. He is a true friend.” (taken from https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/friendship-with-jesus-teresa-of-avila/ )
Prayer for Guidance by St. Teresa of Avila:
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by you, always follow your plans, and perfectly accomplish your holy will. Grant that in all things, great and small, today and all the days of my life, I may do whatever you require of me. Help me respond to the slightest prompting of your grace so that I may be your trustworthy instrument for your honor. May your will be done in time and in eternity by me, in me and through me. Amen.
(The above prayer was found in a document from the USCCB website located here.)
About the author:
Sister M. Lucia Richardson, OSF is a religious sister of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. Born and raised in the Midwest, she has been blessed with the grace of knowing God's love and healing presence in the midst of much family turbulence, separation and divorce. Eucharistic Adoration, life with her Sisters in community, and serving the Lord as sacristan bring her an abundance of joy that she loves sharing with others each day.
Reflection Questions for Small Groups or Individuals:
What stands out to you in this poem? How do different parts of it make you feel?
What do you think of the imagery of house and light in the poem?
Take a moment to write a short poem, or stanza, that reflects your wounds and Christ’s desire to encounter you where you are.