Sunday, December 21, 2014

Happy Solstice, all! The light returns...bit by bit.




"The Shortest Day

And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!"

-Susan Cooper.

Here's to love, and life, family and friends--a most peaceful and happy Solstice to all here.

9 comments:

  1. Nice! Is that "Dark is Rising" series Susan Cooper?

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    1. I don't know, Richard! My dear friend Ailsa Barrett used this poem in her Solstice wedding, 10 years ago today.

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  2. Cathy, this poem hits the spot for me and I plan to share it with friends! Love your still life arrangements!

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    1. I'm glad you liked it, I always have too--I share it every year.

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  3. Lovely Poem -- Happy Solstice to you and Joseph!

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  4. thank God! I really hate the long, dark days of winter! It's funny how fast it has gotten light! Seemed slow at first but now look how late it stays light!

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  5. Thanks for sharing this lovely poem with us.

    Regards
    Rodrigo Rmz
    Galerias de Arte

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