An Affair With Darkness

All art is quite useless.

Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray

A power cut at night makes me feel as dejected as a fish out of water. Or perhaps, an owl on a sunny day.

I am no expert on owls of course. But I am an experienced owl-watcher: an owl and his mate live near my office in the second floor of a three storied building.

I discovered them quite accidentally on a bright day in winter as I stood by the window, enjoying the warm sunshine. My wandering eyes had come to a halt when I discerned a movement less than ten feet away, through the foliage of an evergreen tree. It took me some concentration to identify the birds, ensconced as they were in a shell of soft green darkness.

I had never seen owls at close quarters and studied them with interest. The birds, however, disappeared into a darker recess in wary disapproval. It was but for a fleeting second that I had observed them clearly, a comely pair of gorgeous feathers, snuggling against one another, united in their mistrust of creatures of the light.

I have spotted them regularly since then, though I never managed to establish a rapport. The expression of tragic gloom on their countenances bore ample evidence to this fact.

One night in late autumn, I was in the office clearing up the backlog of accumulated work. It was well past midnight I think, when my pious intentions received a rude shock. The power went off abruptly, inviting the darkness that lurked outside to slip in through the window, and immerse my familiar world in a sea of total blindness. I had nothing but a deafening silence to keep me company, as I sat petrified, expecting any moment an icy touch upon my neck. In fact, I hardly recall how I left the desk and forced myself to grope through the murky corridor and stumble down the desolate staircase.

I stood in the open near a lofty eucalyptus and searched in vain for a moonbeam in the dense black firmament. As my eyes adjusted desperately to the devouring darkness, the stillness was broken suddenly by a faint rustle in the tree that housed the owls. I peered upwards in apprehension to find two shadowy forms emerge out of it and send forth a peal of piercing hoots. Then, totally unconcerned about my presence, they embarked upon a foraging mission under the wide expanse of the night sky. They glided up and down on long, graceful wings, tracing a myriad of luscious arabesques in the air. A merry pair they were, quite a contrast to my insular daytime neighbours as well as my own miserable self, waiting for the power to be restored.

The night was rather chilly. I felt hungry and yearned for the cosy comfort of a bedroom. Yet, I had to collect my things from the office. And before that my wits, to be able to climb back the eerie staircase...!

My legs trembled violently as I took the first step in that direction. I took a second, and perhaps even a third. While I debated on the fourth, the lights came back suddenly.

For an instant, I was blinded again. But soon, all hesitation forgotten, I was bounding up the staircase, feeling as free as a fish in the water.

Or, more appropriately, an owl on a moonless night.

I wonder why nobody don't like me

Or, is it a fact I am ugly???? :(

..Nobody could see you in the dark......Just kidding...

I read the whole post without stopping to blink..
You narration of deafening silence and you trembling,in the darkness was too good.

And its nice that you had those owls for company.....though you saw their shadowy figures...
By the way where were your collegues


Bye

hi oj,

enjoyed your narration...especially the flow of the language over such a monotonous incident as a power failure...
regards
Mindi

Dear OJ,

You observe life so minutely, even the owls.Loved yr story and narration.Superb.Regards.kamal

Dear You weave a grand story out of a small thing. Beauty lies in showing small things with all its gradeur. kanaka

Originally Posted by kanaka

Dear You weave a grand story out of a small thing. Beauty lies in showing small things with all its gradeur. kanaka

Thanks so much Kanaka. It's delightful to read such comments.

Nice to read about your affair with the nocturnal beauty. I admire the writing, smooth and interesting!

Devika

Originally Posted by Devika Menon

Nice to read about your affair with the nocturnal beauty. I admire the writing, smooth and interesting!

Devika

Thank you so much Devika. You got it right. It is a fantasy, but intended to produce serenity.

Dear You weave a grand story out of a small thing. Beauty lies in showing small things with all its gradeur. kanaka