Bright dappled sunlight dots cool checkered shade

with twinkling dimples clear.

And each – the light, the dark – is more intense,

more deeply cherished here —

Because the other dances at its edge.

My blessings burn across my fevered life

with scars of joy and pain.

For sun and shadows lightly co-exist,

with loss to balance gain —

 And sorrow richly frames my greatest joys.