Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice
Written By: Loretta Jaunzarins

Soon, the darkening days will reach their climax on December 21. That morning, though we won’t feel it, Earth and Sun will ‘stand still’ before Earth begins her tilt toward light and spring. The solstices, both winter and summer, give us the opportunity to recognize that we are Earth creatures. Earth calls us to be a part of the landscape she is creating at this time of year. What do you see? Perhaps, just for a moment, ignore the glitz and consumerism of religious or secular celebrations. Celebrate nature instead. Step outside on this winter solstice morning and experience true beauty and creativity.

Poet Grace Wells invites us to ‘step outside’ in her poem Winter Solstice, as does local artist Susan Prosser Davis in her painting Swans on our Horizon at Solstice and local photographer Mike Heinhold.

Poem ~ Grace Wells

Wells is a poet laureate, award-winning eco-poet, re-wilder, and yoga instructor. Her poetry focuses on the interconnection between human beings and the creaturely world. She lives in Ennistymon, Co. Clare, Ireland.

Winter Solstice

Who among us truly understands

the earth’s tilt and turn?

Our slant around the sun that tints midwinter
as the dim wet bark of trees.

Beach trunks speckled with lichen stains.
The ash are done and tawny grey.
If the willow and its khaki moss are dull
and field grass rain rinsed too many times
is it that colour leeches from our
hemisphere while black enters more?

Black settling in the ivy leaves to mute their emerald.
Black sooting the pines until their drab green oppresses.

We wear the winter hues within us
no berry left, no petal,

only the birds wing bright messages of life.
These days are sober

earnest in their short length.

Aligned to this hour are the old stone temples of this place,

that praise the vast and holy dark.

And darkness now is a form of prayer

glittering with stars.

All things bow to this surrender.

So let the solstice wear its crown,

for this is courage, our hesitance and pause

before the shades retreat.

Winter yet ahead of us
though our companion now is light.