Snow, impassable roads
and a power cut
forced us to leave our home in Dundrod
for several days
and live instead
with my husband’s parents.

Paul’s parents extended to us
a warm welcome
in a cosy house which had plenty of
heating, electricity and food.
It also had
a Sacred Heart picture.

The Sacred Heart picture
depicted Jesus standing,
with his pierced hands outstretched,
and wearing a red gown
on which his Sacred Heart was displayed.
Jesus also wore a white robe
which was closed with a golden clasp.
The background of the picture
was beige and brown.

I didn’t like the picture
and for over twenty five years
I had managed quite happily
to ignore it.

But last night, as I prayed,
the Sacred Heart picture was reflected
in the mirror in front of me
and every time I opened my eyes
I saw this picture of Jesus.

His Sacred Heart appeared to glow
against the dark background
presented by the rest of the picture
and I had the impression
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
offering to light up
the darkness in my life.

Because of the snow, impassable roads
and a power cut
I don’t believe that I’ll ever view
the Sacred Heart picture
in the same way again.