Wednesday, December 21, 2022

For the solstice

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!!
--Susan Cooper

If you've never read The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper, I highly recommend it at winter solstice and over the Christmas holidays. Although it's a children's book, it's full of midwinter magic.

22 comments:

  1. "Through all the frosty ages you can hear them / Echoing behind us -- Listen!!" Oh what a delightful line -- love it! Winter Solstice blessings to you and your husband, Jennifer.

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  2. I like that. I hope re-decorating your tree has gone well.

    Love,
    Janie

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  3. Don't forget, it's also the longest night of the year.

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  4. I like this poem partly because it contains no references to Christianity which came along much later and tried to usurp ancient traditions.

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  5. So fitting! Without knowing the poem, I thought pretty much among some of its lines on yesterday's after work walk, well into the sunset but full of promise.

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    1. I think it's a beautiful poem for the winter solstice!

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  6. I've never read "The Dark is Rising," but I read "The Grey King" when I read all the Newbery winners not too long ago. She's a good writer.

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    1. The Dark is Rising is my favorite in that series!

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  7. Merry Christmas to you and your family Jennifer.

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  8. Belated Solstice to you! And a Happy Christmas !

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  9. Beautiful blog
    Merry Christmas 🎄🎄

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