Sometimes...

Life is black as night all around
dark and alone I stand
wrapped in blackness

Only small bits, like diamonds
scattered across life's expanse, twinkle
and break the monotony of black

The small bits, these "stars"
are very far away
It is a wonder we notice them at all

On the lighter nights the stars all but disappear,
we do not need their feeble light when the sky is bright with friendly moonlight.
But when the night is darkest and Hope, Joy, Love, Peace are all flown, with this, the blackest black, the stars cluster and burn and fill the night with their brilliance.

Too numerous to count
they bring hope to the most hopeless situation
Love to the loneliest of hearts, joy to the pitchest black space,
and peace to the most torturous fear.

Thank God for the stars.