Solstice

So dark the morn

For no other reason

Than it is that time

As year flows to year

Darkness comes and darkness grows

ever darker

in the black place

beauty hides

the trees melt into an abyss

and peaks and sky blend

until the soaring greatness of the mountain

is lost

black upon black

but even in this dark time

light will come

slowing pushing aside the gloom

until brilliant

the sun turns the cold morning into

white and blue

and diamonds gleaming scattered

snow and ice gathering the light

recklessly sharing their joy

and though we march ever deeper into darkness

solstice will come and

the blackness will turn, will turn

and the world will grow

ever brighter

for this the flow

of each day, each year

this is the pattern of life, of history

the darkness comes

but we, the lovers of light

keep walking, keep living

keep loving

keep hoping

for each year that moment comes

solstice, Advent

the beginning of the beginning

when all is about to turn

and in that moment

we people, living in the dark

remember, if we do not see, the light

and our hearts sing of what is to come

of justice, and love, equity and compassion

generosity and forgiveness

and our souls cry out

for the world is about to turn

(Thanks to the Canticle of the Turning by Gary Daigle, Rory Cooney & Theresa Donohoo

 for inspiration and hope)