Winter Solstice

Reflections in the darkening time.

“On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.”  -Norman Maclean

The Solstice is nearing this winter’s night.
I feel the separation from the Sun’s warmth 
Even as the perihelion approaches.
In the gloom and darkness, we search for
The hidden person of the heart.

Waking early, half-moon pouring through
The blinds, I slip out past the
Sleeping beagle, curled on her bed
With favorite stuffies propping her head.
Past slightly stirring wife who wins the 
Covers for the night.

Out in the foyer, I fumble for old
Down jacket, torn on the sleeve
From a Christmas tree haul years ago.
Sneakers without socks, then
Outdoors in the breathing cold
To the banks of Sugartree Creek.

In the darkness I listen to the creek
Burble and watch the water catch
The light from stars that left thousands
Of years ago. 
The water carries the light downhill to 
The Cumberland and eventually to 
The Gulf of Mexico to blend with the waters
Of the world.
I ponder the verse, “Christ wept.” 
Those tears on earth are with us still in the
Shimmering, glowing water.

A barred owl’s demands break the silence.
I gaze upward through the leafless branches
And see Orion stealing over the western hill,
Sirius trailing close behind and I wonder
How many cycles will I see between
The Hunter and the Scorpion
And what trials await. 

Looking Eastward, I see a halo of first light
Breaking my moonlit reverie.
Back towards the house I trudge knowing,
In the hidden heart, though not understanding
The vastness of God’s plan for us in this Solstice
And approaching Christmas celebration.

Back inside, coat stowed, sneakers left by the door
To bed I return, pull on a few covers and hope not to snore.
We will rise again, refreshed and reverent
Knowing that as the Child’s birth 
Whose celebration awaits, his Word is
Written on our heart and we must live it:
We must not be afraid.

I always feel a little hollow at this time. I have wrapped up another course at the Graduate School, business is particularly slow - like a spring slowly coiling, waiting for the first of the year and the new allocations. The darkness that comes too early. It’s a good time to reflect on the lap we are completing around the Sun and what awaits us on the next one. I hope you enjoy this one!