Winter Solstice

For the first day of Winter and Winter Solstice,


Note: I learned on the Internet that Solstice means: standing - still - sun. The Winter Solstice used to be a real party -- a time to celebrate the return of longer days. Thus, being challenged by the Writer's Cramp, I wrote the following poem. It is the song of a celebrant who sings her joy for this turning point in life's yearly cycle.

Winter Solstice


All light was departing;
We bowed heads in mourning,
But today sees our jubilance
As the sun chases chaos.

For a Solstice is upon us.
We’ve notched the moon’s cycles,
And now we grow full merry
With our candles and our feasts.

Light conquers darkness.
The Sun will defend us,
So we gather to greet it
With our mistletoe and song.

Women harvest holly,
Men choose their ivy vines.
Tomorrow we will thread them,
For it's Solstice once again.