“Though it is stormy and dark,
I’ll strain my tearful plaints
And struggle on-
I’ll set out in voyage
And persist in my search
For God our Father.
Though it doesn’t sleep a wink,
This temptation bearing down on me,
Still will I dare To read this book,
And from it, draw
The weapon I’ll wield.
Having lost my sight in the past
I'm giving thanks
For this light
Which God let shine
Upon the priest who has made known
This noble book.
Though tossed and dashed
By huge waves,
I'll trash my legs
And renewing strength—
In this (book) I grasp
For the buoy that saves.
Though disabled and limping,
Nothing can hold back my steps,
For this (book) will take me by the hand
And show me the way--
The staff was prepared
To give me strength.”
The first stanza appeals to me as an indication of the speaker’s struggles as supported by lines 1 and 2. Despite such obstacles (struggles), line three reflects the motivation and courage of the speaker’s search for the divine and search for faith as supported in line 6. “Voyage” in line four is an allegory for a long journey indicating that the search will not be easy and will certainly not be attainable in just a short period of time.
The second stanza introduces the hope the bible brings to the speaker. Lines 7 and 8 are intertwined as the temptation in line 8 indicates the restlessness being referred to in line 7. Line 9 again reflects motivation and encouragement through the bible that enables the speaker to bring forth strength despite the temptations. The weapon being wielded in line 11 refers to the speaker’s strength, indicating that the bible helps in empowering a person to overcome their weaknesses (temptation and struggles) and molding their strength not only on the physical state but also mental, emotional, and spiritual sense.
The third stanza reveals gratitude. “Lost sight” in line 12 indicates losing a sense of identifying right from wrong and being blinded by earthly pleasures, weaknesses, and temptation. It also reflects the speaker’s unconscious decision of choosing a path that isn’t righteous.
Line 13 is when the speaker comes into the realization that righteousness can be attained through the path of faith. “Light” in line 14 reflects hope and symbolizes a guide for the path of faith as supported in line 15. Lines 16 and 17 are appraisals for the blessed one who was blessed by God (the priest) to bless those who – the same as the speaker – were stranded and astray (from God’s love) through the light of the bible.
The fourth stanza indicates the recurring struggles and obstacles seizing to tempt the speaker to give up but lines 21 and 22 reflect yet again a motivation and courage that strengthens the speaker to pursue the goal. Line 23 reveals that the bible renews the speaker’s strength and line 24 indicates that the travel, although there are many obstacles, will be safe as long as faith remains unwavering.
The fifth stanza reveals the message “for as long as you have faith, and you stay dedicated and committed, nothing is impossible.” Lines 24 and 25 reflect the speaker’s perseverance further implying that no obstacle, injury, weakness, or disability can stop the speaker from being faithful, trusting in God, and being righteous. It also indicates that the physical condition of a person does not reflect their spiritual condition nor does it reflect their strength.
Lines 26 and 27 indicate that the bible is indeed the guiding light that will help the speaker in choosing the right path/the path of faith. The bible being the guiding light can also mean that reading the bible is what awakens the eyes of those blinded by temptation and earthly pleasures. It also means that the bible is the spirit’s eyes, thus, it is through the bible that the speaker is able to attain spiritual strength and God’s everlasting love.
In relation with the poem’s title “Though it is Stormy and Dark” the message, therefore, tells the people that the bible is the guiding light, vision, and knowledge that will help us in seeing through the darkness, remaining strong throughout the storm (remaining faithful and strong despite the obstacles), and that the bible helps us realize our weaknesses and identifying right from wrong.
