Winter Solstice

http://mermaidartist.wordpress.com/
2010/12/24/winter-solstice-tree-and-
winter-tree-with-baubles/

The shortest day was yesterday and now
begins the process in reverse
as daylight tickles night a little
longer every evening, dares the stars
to hide behind the clouds. Winter has
her place, necessity of falling leaves
and cold to sweeten fruit, but oh the
spring, the wildness of new growth,
assault upon the senses. Winter crisp
gives way to mossy earth, the promise
of the summer's heat and autumn harvest
off in the distance, serenaded by the
songbirds, heralded by fragrant blooms.
Today, however, winter rules and reigns,
our celebrations all entwined with
snow and piny boughs. And in the south,
birds sing a song to thank us for
a place to spend the winter, and we shiver
if it dips into the 40s. All the stores
sell swimsuits here and bulky jackets there,
dichotomy displayed on gaudy racks
at Walmart and the like.



(c) Ellen Gillette, 2014