Not to escape the dark, but shine through it

Posted on by Reena Saxena

It was a self-discovery coaching session, when
someone said he was a path
and I was adamant
that I am a lighthouse.

A decade later
darkness holds me captive
and I wonder what I was thinking then…

a sliver of color emerges from within
-an arrow born of tears
and claims it can help people
not to flee the night
but to walk through it.

My coaching model envisages
Dipping in the ocean before
looking for dry islands
feeling the hardness of rocks
before letting sands caress your feet
and the waves wash away
all that binds you to failure

W3 Prompt #203

19 thoughts on “Not to escape the dark, but shine through it”

  2. A fascinating evolution of the ‘lighthouse’ concept Reena – beginning as something fixed and distant, ending with a tactile coaching model that’s immersive, grounded in the elements – brilliant 🙌

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  3. Reena, thanks for putting up with the delayed response. It’s been a challenging time health-wise for me, alongside trying to bring a larger poetry project to completion.

    I like the way you’ve rethought the role of the lighthouse here. It’s not something that removes darkness or warns people away, but instead helps people move through it. That’s a strong and distinctive take on the prompt, and a direction I had not considered.

    I think you could strengthen this further by keeping the lighthouse present in more concrete terms. What does the light do? How does it behave? This would help your idea be expressed through the image rather than explanation.

    Thanks for such a thoughtful response to the prompt. I appreciated the different angle you took.

    Dennis

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  8. What a deeply introspective and powerful reflection. 🌊
    The shift from “lighthouse” to walking through darkness feels so real and human—it shows growth, not doubt. I love the imagery of the ocean, rocks, and waves; it beautifully captures the idea that true healing comes from experiencing, not escaping. Your coaching philosophy feels authentic, grounded, and quietly transformative. Truly moving. ✨

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