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:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

"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.

Moving with Mitchell said...

Beautiful!

yellowdoggranny said...

lovely

Janie Junebug said...

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

Love,
Janie

Dave R said...

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

Yorkshire Pudding said...

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

Joanne Noragon said...

A lovely set of verses.

Librarian said...

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.

Steve Reed said...

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.

Jennifer said...

The Dark is Rising is my favorite in that series!

Jennifer said...

And the same to you, my friend!

Jennifer said...

Same here, Neil.

Jennifer said...

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

Jennifer said...

It is. Happy Holidays to you, Joanne!

Jennifer said...

It did go well! It looks good again! :)

Jennifer said...

And soon the days will start to lengthen!

Jennifer said...

Yes. :)

Jennifer said...

I'm glad you liked it!

Yael said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family Jennifer.

Ur-spo said...

Belated Solstice to you! And a Happy Christmas !

Melinda from Ontario said...

Merry Christmas Jennifer and family.

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful blog
Merry Christmas 🎄🎄