Today, December 21st, is the Winter Solstice.  Today we in the Eastern Hemisphere are farther from the sun than we shall ever be.  Today, “the darkest day of the year,” light is scarce and slant.  The winter solstice has long been charged with terror and mystery, as we human beings get an inkling of what it might be like to be estranged from our Star.  We value the light we have today all the more more for its rarity..  The poem below celebrates that light even as it  honors the dark place wherein we find ourselves.

For Shadowment: Villanelle for the Solstice

Here, here in the crook of the year,
the crux and fix and flux of the year
light falls long across and dear.

Here in the ruck and dreck of the year
We glean and gather grace and gear,
here, here in the crook of the year.

Here is the neckbone of the year,
its knuckle sharp, its blade sheer,
where light falls long across and dear.

Hear the matins of the year,
the chant of praise and marrow fear,
here, here in the crook of the year.

Cheer the vespers of the year,
the prayers that rise from tongue to ear
as light falls long across and dear.

Clear your mind as night draws near.
Stead your heart and shed no tear.
Here, here in the crook of the year
where light falls long across and dear

(pub. in Christian Century, Dec 12, 2012)