Kenneth R. Hardman

A poem by Kenneth R Hardman, 2023, revised 2026

Introduction: I love harmony. In music, two or more different notes are played or sung creating a pleasing chord, then captured by the ears. In sunlight two or more full spectrum rays branch out and are acted upon by each unique path or journey, then attractively combined and captured by the eyes. 

While observing a Maui sunset consider the various paths light travels. The light branches out. Each ray is acted upon by diffraction, translucence, absorption or reflection, refraction, etc. Then recombined by your eye. Whether sound, light, or social systems, these paths, interactions and recombination’s are phenomenal. I’ve tried to capture the process in this poem, Choir of Light.

Poem: Choir of Light

The choir of light, they sing tonight,
in brilliant harmony,
Each shining ray, a part to play,
to bring one voice to me.

The choral lead, the sun indeed,
sends light in every way,
Diffraction bends through droplet lens,
adds sparkle in the spray.

Translucent clouds, the light enshrouds,
revealing shades and hue,
Reflecting ground, turns up-side-down,
and duplicates the view.

Opaque the rock, the light to block,
disclosing solid form,
Unseen behind me rainbow shines,
refracted colors warm.

Scattered light, precedes the night,
as rays pass through the air,
The reds get through, but less the blue,
except up high where fair.

The final gleam, sun’s one last beam,
Her light is gone too soon,
But look up high in night’s dark sky,
‘She lives,’ reflects the moon.

The choir of light, they sing tonight,
in brilliant harmony,
Each shining ray, a part to play,
to bring one voice to me.