light

A very simple word about which quite a lot can be said. Poetically, it is knowledge, goodness or even God; its physical tenor sets the superlative standard for speed, but is also of an elusive nature. Despite this, when used in reference to work or literature it is almost condescending, denoting a quality of inconsequentiality or even triflingness. Though a piece of literature maybe praised for shedding light, for it to be light is generally unfavorable, or at least not a compliment. It is, then, a word with a great deal of range, imparting both the supreme and the trivial, both that which is of little importance and that which is of the greatest importance. In the Bible, God creates light before he creates any physical source thereof. Though that text certainly predates the word "light" as we know it, and though I don't particularly believe it, it is worth mentioning; it emphasizes the weight of the concept behind the word, such that it (the concept) often exists quite independently in the mind. Is the word equal to carrying this weight, considering the insignificance it bestows elsewhere?