Lifestyle

Winter Solstice ~ The Shortest Day

December 21, 2013

A poem by Susan Cooper captures the joy of winter solstice. My favourite tree captures the moment. We can now celebrate and look forward to new, long days ahead. Happy Yule!

Winter SolsticeThe Shortest Day by Susan Cooper

So the shortest day came, and the year died,

And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world

Came people singing, dancing,

To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;

They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long

To keep the year alive,

And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, revelling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them

Echoing behind us – Listen!!

All the long echoes sing the same delight,

This shortest day,

As promise wakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, feast, give thanks,

And dearly love their friends,

And hope for peace.

And so do we, here, now,

This year and every year.

Welcome Yule!!

2 Comments

  • Reply unahalpin December 22, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    That’s nice Dee. I’m a big fan of Susan Cooper. I always love reading ‘The Dark is Rising’ around Christmas time. Her descriptions of the family’s preparations for Christmas are lovely.

    • Reply greensideupveg December 23, 2013 at 11:56 am

      Thanks Una, she’s great isn’t she, captures everything in a few short lines as good poets should!

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