Our Family Astronomer Royal, Dr. Richard Schwartz reminds us that today is the winter solstice. High Holy days for for my ancient Celtic ancestors. Coupled with last night's lunar eclipse he is giddy with excitement. So let us rejoice. The dark days are behind us, the days grow longer, spring is not far.
The Irish born, Catholic nuns of my youth were big on making little children recite. Poetry, bits of verse, catechism it made no difference. "Stand up straight Toad, give us the first 10 lines of..." I can conjure up those memories at will. My favorite was and is by Robert Frost, a poem suitable and fitting for this glorious day.
and finally,
Have a blessed day, pay heed to the natural rhythm of the seasons.
Toad
The Irish born, Catholic nuns of my youth were big on making little children recite. Poetry, bits of verse, catechism it made no difference. "Stand up straight Toad, give us the first 10 lines of..." I can conjure up those memories at will. My favorite was and is by Robert Frost, a poem suitable and fitting for this glorious day.
and finally,
WINTER'S ENTRANCE
As days shrink
to the size of a small doorway,
darkness dominates
like a protective dome
in the star arched sky.
We frenzied town dwellers
seek security
in hyperactivity:
buy bigger presents,
indulge in more parties.
Beyond the entrance we call ‘Winter’
lies a quiet space, empty
but for a single candle
whose light increases
as dreams and hopes
fuel its incandescence.
Step softly within
where the calm communion
of sitting with silence,
shining with light
brings long sought oneness.
Kaaren Whitney
Winter Solstice 2006
Have a blessed day, pay heed to the natural rhythm of the seasons.
Toad
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11 comments:
I do have this thought behind all my Christmas lists to get done that January is looming, dark and cold. I am reminding myself that we have a full freezer and cupboard and that nothing is cozier than sitting in front of a warm fire. I may not come out until February.
Perfectly said - love these poems. Happy Holstice!
I used to have to memorize poems too! It has come in handy at the occassional cocktail party :O)
Since I live in the 'hood, we adapted the Frost poem to suit our needs a little better.
It's here:
http://pigtown-design.blogspot.com/2010/02/stopping-in-hood-in-snowy-evening.html
Did you see the moon last night?
My husband and I stayed up to watch. The eclipse was stunning. Me, this morning? Not so much after only a few hours sleep, but it was worth it.
Hope you were able to see it, as well.
Paying heed to the rhythm of the season is great advice.
Sadly, it was too overcast in Mayberry to see the sky. The photos were great, but they always are aren't they?
Feels like weather is on its way, so like Shelley, I'm in to stay, at least till groundhog day.
Happy Solstice, Toad!
Oh those days of memorization. Perfect poems and wishing you a happy Solstice Toad.
I started thinking Celtic-ish stuff and then started thinking about Druids and then started thinking about Stonehenge and then started thinking about Eddie Izzard's treatise on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiFq_nk8pE0
there went another afternoon
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