The Power of the Night Sky

From this morning's New York Times—

To the Editor:

Re “The Solstice Blues” (Op-Ed, June 21): Perhaps the onset of nightly darkness should not be equated with melancholy; rather, it is the “illuminated world” intended to forestall it that sets us on edge and forces us to keep our inner thoughts at bay.

Thoreau found moonlight “more favorable to meditation than sunlight.” Darkness and quiet are essential human needs.

PHEBE HAM

Concord, Mass., June 22, 2014

We don't take time to wonder often enough.