Solstice Options

[Ephiny]

Solstice

The land has swelled, and sleeps now,
in wind-breaths and shadows,
circling the earth silently and softly.
She has placed her hands on the sparkling ground,
frozen, dark and still.

There are spirits in the trees and drooping shrubs,
glistening together in frost and bright fireside eyes,
icy glow of a midwinter moon.
She doesn’t sleep…

The scent of cloves and crackling coals from
brightly frosted windows; mistletoe wreaths silently
spread their cures and secrets.
We do not know why we do any of this, only that it is enough
to want, like we do, dream as we do and blame
some primal instinct deep within that knows the ancient battles
for a crucial gift inside we cannot name.

We celebrate the moment of our redemption,
pull out wounded parts that fight no longer,
offer silent tears and moments of silent despair.
We come here for salvation,
celebrating the birth of the Son, this same day,
the Celts celebrated the birth of the Sun.

End of darkness, subtle victory, each one,
over secrets deep inside the earth and silent ground.

We dig deep, all the time.
Life continues underground, as day begins;
light at its lowest and vital point of existence.

The Holly king, deep green crown
straight from legend to window sill and
glass angels reaching in to pull together two lost times,
The First Christmas and all before it;
a celebration of light, bright and brief.
Spirits move; suddenly
it’s all the same,

We struggle to learn, forgetting that
it’s not the knowing, but the acceptance of not knowing
that can save us.
Birth and death occur in one moment.
We survive both and spin onwards, unending because
we never really began.

Frosty sunset, a robin circles.
Curtains draw, candlelight and fireside eyes
seeing more than they’ll ever know.

Children gaze at a five-pointed star.

[Guest_Tao_*]

Good Morn Lucie,

Where do you get all the emotions to inject into these pieces? This is at once haunting and powerful. Did I tell you your poetry goes very well with The Joshua Tree? Must be that Irish connection!

This is magic! It started quietly for me as it slowly pulled me in…

Gathering steam in the third and fourth stanzas, both of which were perfectly saintly.

celebrating the birth of the Son, this same day, - Wow!
the Celts celebrated the birth of the Sun.

We dig deep, all the time.
Life continues underground, as day begins;
light at its lowest and vital point of existence. – Mmm!

And after a slight breather, just when I was ready to let go and withdraw, you close me out with the last 3 stanzas, the first two of which lifted me higher toward the Solstice, but the circling robin kept me aground for the closing curtain– hallelujah!

This one cuts deeply and touched a chord! It is the most moving poem I've read - from a living poet! Wish I could write this well! Would you include this in a future MM chapbook so I could keep a copy? :)

David

[Ephiny]

Hi David :)

Thank you very much for some lovely and positive feedback..I'm really pleased you enjoyed it!

I wanted to post this for Lori to consider as part of the winter collection actually..but at the last minute decided not to post it in Homer's just yet in case people weren't ready to have Christmas thrust upon them just now So I thought I'd sneak it in here!

Thanks very much for reading and commenting and hope you're having a great weekend

[Guest_Tao_*]

Hi Lassie,

You could either post this in Angkor Accolades as well - for seasonal works or PM Lori to include this piece. As it turns out, I think this belongs here as a polished work. I feel something mythical about it, hmmm...

David