Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice by Maria Hodkins*

Winter Solstice

by Maria Hodkins*

I notice more than anything

how dear the light is

in these December days

and nights…

Like an infant’s face

that first light in the morning

full of promise.

A rosy-cheeked dawn,

waking me with its insistent cry.

Life! A new birth–

The light shatters the seduction of dream

“Come, I will light the Way.”

From the dark shroud of sleep

I leap,

throwing back the drape,

scooping the light into my face.

I turn the plants

to gulp their sky chai

and straighten their pose

for they have been praying, hoping.

leaning into the light, in spite of its leaving.

Arctic blues, powder, smoke, and wisps of white

dress you, sky, in Day’s gown and cape

cold taffeta attending the Earth ball,

my eyes squint in your harsh winter light

and I wait, wait for the warm return

a sun, now so far, so cold

like the heart of a lost lover.

Light of sunset, breathtaking sky

hues too deep for words

dazzling sherbet of periwinkle and peach

Delightful, Trickster, Magician

I bow to your light gifts

luminous mystery

where light hides in the shadows

and halos mountain peaks

And when the night moves in like lava flow

over the land…

The houses sing furious light carols

bright, white, glaring carols

red, green twinkling carols

desperately holding light space for the sun,

everybody’s darling.

Come back, Sun, come home–we miss you!

How dear the light

how I crave the light, drink the light,

lift my glass to the light,

oh Holy light

through this longest night,

you soothe my soul.

*printed with permisssion