Light Rests

an ekphrastic poem

The Newborn Christ by Georges de La Tour (1640-1649)

Blackness at their backs, yet their faces shone.
A mother cups a candle, small and bright;
Her daughter's hands take up her newborn Son.

He lies in perfect stillness, sleeping tight,
As angels said, wrapped up in swaddling clothes.
Each face is warmed by love, gilded by light.

Light rests on the Babe's head and on each breast
And on her nail and on His small new nose,
But the Light brightening their dark eyes is best.

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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Isaiah 9:2

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I wasn't planning on writing anything for Melanie Bettinelli’s latest ekphrastic prompt but ended up changing my mind when I spent more time with the painting and noticed the brilliant glints of light in the piece.

Thanks, Melanie, for hosting these challenges!